Evaluating Sources

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Now you know a little more about how to find sources, both from the library catalog

and the GALILEO databases.

The next step is to be sure that the sources you find are appropriate for the

kind of research you’re trying to do.

Why do you need the information?

Why do you need the information?

Is it for…an assignment?

-a paper? a project?

Why do you need the information?

Is it for…an assignment?

-a paper? a project?

a project outside of class?-career help? a personal research project?

Why do you need the information?

Is it for …an assignment?

-a paper? a project?

a project outside of class?-career help? a personal research project?

personal entertainment?-a recipe, the latest Hollywood gossip, your favorite meme?

Regardless of the purpose for researching the information, it’s important to make sure that the information is reliable and

trustworthy.

To get an idea of the appropriateness and credibility of a source, ask yourself these

questions:

Who?

Who?What?

Who?What?When?

Who?What?When?Where?

Who?What?When?Where?

Why?

Let’s look at an example …

Surge needs to write a paper for English class about effective student study skills.

He has already searched the library catalog and the GALILEO databases and is now

looking for some sources on the Internet. He found an Internet source he might want to

use, but first he wants to evaluate it.

The resource looks like this:

First, Surge needs to know …

Who?

Who wrote or presented this information?

Does the person have the qualifications to be presenting this information?

Is he or she trustworthy?

Clues0Check for authority of the author by

asking:

Clues0Check for authority of the author by

asking:0Does the writer have a degree in the

subject? What are his or her affiliations (where does the author work)?

Clues0Check for authority of the author by

asking:0Does the writer have a degree in the

subject? What are his or her affiliations (where does the author work)?

0What do others in the field think about this person?

Clues0Check for authority of the author by

asking:0Does the writer have a degree in the

subject? What are his or her affiliations (where does the author work)?

0What do others in the field think about this person?

0What else has this person written about the topic? Is he or she an expert?

Surge notices that the article is written by someone with an advanced degree.

That’s a good sign!

At the bottom we find even more information about the author.

Well, so far this author seems like an expert!

Next, Surge needs to know …

What?

What is the content in the source? Is it relevant to his topic of study?

Clues

0Check for relevance in:

Clues

0Check for relevance in:0The title

Clues

0Check for relevance in:0The title0An abstract if there is one

Clues

0Check for relevance in:0The title0An abstract if there is one0Subject headings or table of contents if they

are present

Clues

0Check for relevance in:0The title0An abstract if there is one0Subject headings or table of contents if they

are present0A scan of the article

Surge can see from the title

and a scan of the article that the article is about effective study habits for students. He determines that this is relevant to his

query.

Next, Surge asks …

When?

How current is the information? Is it outdated?

Clues

0Check for currency by looking:

Clues

0Check for currency by looking:0For a date in the citation if you’re looking at

a journal article in a database

Clues

0Check for currency by looking:0For a date in the citation if you’re looking at

a journal article in a database0After the title or at the bottom of the article

from a website

Surge checks the site for date information. He sees the following note at

the bottom of the page:

It looks like the material was reviewed very recently. That means the data is

likely up-to-date.

The next question for Surge to ask is …

Where?Where did this information come from?

Is it cited? Is it sponsored by an organization with a

bias? Is the information trustworthy?

Clues0To check for accuracy and bias, ask

Clues0To check for accuracy and bias, ask0Is this a controversial topic?

Clues0To check for accuracy and bias, ask0Is this a controversial topic? 0Is the language of this article trying to lead

me to believe something?

Clues0To check for accuracy and bias, ask0Is this a controversial topic? 0Is the language of this article trying to lead

me to believe something?0Is the data sound? Could another conclusion

be made based on the data? Is there data missing?

Clues0To check for accuracy and bias, ask0Is this a controversial topic? 0Is the language of this article trying to lead

me to believe something?0Is the data sound? Could another conclusion

be made based on the data? Is there data missing?

0Are there many grammatical errors? Is the article well-structured and organized?

Surge can see that this article is on a website sponsored by Psych Central.

What is Psych Central? He clicks on the About link at the bottom of the page.

Here is what Surge finds:

Psych Central is independently run and has a legacy of providing unbiased

information.

Surge also finds:

The site has credentials and is wholly owned by a professional in the field.

Looks good!

One more question for Surge to answer …

Why?

For what purpose is this information being offered?

Does the purpose match his own?

Clues0To determine the purpose of a source, ask:

Clues0To determine the purpose of a source, ask:0What vocabulary and language is used? Is it for

the general public or an expert scholar?

Clues0To determine the purpose of a source, ask:0What vocabulary and language is used? Is it for

the general public or an expert scholar?0Is the platform of the information flashy and

exciting, or simple? Is the source trying to entertain or inform?

Clues0To determine the purpose of a source, ask:0What vocabulary and language is used? Is it for

the general public or an expert scholar?0Is the platform of the information flashy and

exciting, or simple? Is the source trying to entertain or inform?

0Are there advertisements?

Clues0To determine the purpose of a source, ask:0What vocabulary and language is used? Is it for

the general public or an expert scholar?0Is the platform of the information flashy and

exciting, or simple? Is the source trying to entertain or inform?

0Are there advertisements? 0Can you see where the author is getting his or

her information? Are there citations or a works cited list?

Why does Surge need information? He needs it for an assignment.

In general, when you need information for an assignment, you should start

your search in the library catalog and GALILEO, not the Internet.

However, if an Internet source passes all your standards, you might be able to use

it for your research.

However, if an Internet source passes all your standards, you might be able to use

it for your research.

What is the purpose of Surge’s source? It isn’t necessarily for scholarly research—

the site is available to provide medical advice to the public.

However, it does provide a citation, indicating that scholarly use might be

expected.

Surge will proceed with caution, but use this resource for his research.

Remember, evaluation of sources continues after you have chosen to read a

source in-depth.

Remember, evaluation of sources continues after you have chosen to read a

source in-depth.

Read critically and watch for authority and trustworthiness.

If you have questions, you can always ask a librarian! Email us at libref@gsw.edu