Evaluating Sources: Criteria

How to identify valuable sources for your research? Evaluate each source for...

Accuracy

• Can you verify the information presented using other sources like encyclopedia articles, government documents, statistical data, or primary sources?
• Are other researchers citing this source?

Audience

• Who is the intended audience (scholars, the general population, a specific group) ?
• How do your research needs compare with those of the intended audience?

Authority

• Who is responsible for the presentation of this information? (publisher, funding agency, etc.)
• What are the author's credentials? (education, institutional affiliation, previous research, honors, etc.)
• Is the publication from a reliable publisher? What is the domain?

Bibliography

• What sources did the author use in preparing this presentation?
• What is the scope of the research presented?

Bias

• Does the author offer evidence, in the form of primary and secondary sources, to support his/her assertions?
• Is the information over-simplified and emotionally charged or logically investigated?
• What is the author's intent? To inform, persuade, sell, entertain?

Currency

• How is this source positioned within the current conversation surrounding your topic?
• How does this source build upon previous scholarship?

Depth

• How deeply does the author explore the subject matter?
• Does the author meet the goals defined in the abstract or introduction?

Relevance

• What will this particular source add to your research?
• Does the source inform your argument, or answer questions posed by your topic.
• How does this source work with the other resources you will be using?

  Evaluating Sources of Information 
       OWL at Purdue

  Critically Analysing Information Sources
         Cornell University Libraries

Photo: Studying by Mer Chau