Starting Research Projects: Evaluating Sources

Rationale

• Why did the author or publisher make this information available? 
• Is there obvious and/or extreme bias or prejudice?
• Are alternative points of view presented? Does the author omit any important facts or data that might disprove their claim?
• If there is emotion, what is the purpose? What tone is being used?

Authority

• How is the author related to your topic?
• What are the author's credentials? Is the author affiliated with an educational institution or a reputable organization?
• Can you find information about the author in reference books or on the Internet?
• Do other books or articles on the same research topic cite the author?
• Who is the publisher of the information source? Are they considered reputable? 

Date

• When was the information published or last updated? Is the information obsolete?
• Have newer articles been published on your topic?
• Are links or references to other sources up-to-date?
• Is your topic in an area that changes rapidly, like technology or science?

Accuracy

• Are there statements you know to be false?  Verify an unlikely story by finding a reputable outlet reporting the same thing.
• Was the information reviewed by editors or subject experts before it was published?  Was it fact-checked?  How do you know?
• Do the citations and references support the author's claim? Are the references correctly cited?  Follow the links. If there are no references or bad references, this could be a red flag.
• What do other people have to say on the topic? Is there general agreement among subject experts?
• If applicable, is there a description of the research method used? Does the method seem appropriate and well-executed?
• Was item published by a peer-reviewed journal, academic press, or other reliable publisher?
• If there are pictures, were they photo-shopped in?  Use a reverse image search engine to see where an image really comes from.
• For trusted websites, what is the domain?  Fake sites often add ".co" to trusted brands (e.g. absnews.com.co)

Relevance

• Does the information answer your research question?
• Does the information meet the stated requirements for the assignment?
• Is the information too technical or too simplified for you to use?
• Who is the intended audience?
• Does the source add something new to your knowledge of the topic?
• Is the information focused on the geographical location you are interested in?