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Click through this module on how to evaluate a variety of different sources

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Research Guides: Module 6: Evaluating Sources: Why Is It Important To Evaluate Sources?

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Research Guides: Module 6: Evaluating Sources: Why Is It Important To Evaluate Sources?

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Wikipedia is not a reliable source, but can aid you in your research process. Read through this website for tips on how you can use Wikipedia.

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Michael Scott on Wikipedia

" Wikipedia is the best thing ever. Anyone in the world can write anything they want about any subject, so you know you are getting the best possible information. "

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LibGuides: Wikipedia - Research & Contributing: Using Wikipedia for Research

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Skip to main content It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older. This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results. " Wikipedia is the best thing ever.

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Lateral Reading is a way to evaluate sources as you read them. It is looking at what other sources have to say about the source you are reading.

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Sort Fact from Fiction Online with Lateral Reading

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Read this chapter of the book, Web Literacy for Student Fact-Checkers. It outlines four moves you can take to evaluate a source.

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What people need most when confronted with a claim that may not be 100% true is things they can do to get closer to the truth. They need something I have decided to call "moves."

Moves accomplish intermediate goals in the fact-checking process. They are associated with specific tactics. Here are the four moves this guide will hinge on:

Check for previous work: Look around to see if someone else has already fact-checked the claim or provided a synthesis of research.

Go upstream to the source: Go "upstream" to the source of the claim. Most web content is not original. Get to the original source to understand the trustworthiness of the information.

Read laterally: Read laterally. Once you get to the source of a claim, read what other people say about the source (publication, author, etc.). The truth is in the network.

Circle back: If you get lost, hit dead ends, or find yourself going down an increasingly confusing rabbit hole, back up and start over knowing what you know now. You're likely to take a more informed path with different search terms and better decisions.

In general, you can try these moves in sequence. If you find success at any stage, your work might be done.

When you encounter a claim you want to check, your first move might be to see if sites like Politifact, or Snopes, or even Wikipedia have researched the claim (Check for previous work).

If you can't find previous work on the claim, start by trying to trace the claim to the source. If the claim is about research, try to find the journal it appeared in. If the claim is about an event, try to find the news publication in which it was originally reported (Go upstream).

Maybe you get lucky and the source is something known to be reputable, such as the journal Science or the newspaper the New York Times. Again, if so, you can stop there. If not, you're going to need to read laterally, finding out more about this source you've ended up at and asking whether it is trustworthy (Read laterally).

And if at any point you fail-if the source you find is not trustworthy, complex questions emerge, or the claim turns out to have multiple sub-claims-then you circle back, and start a new process. Rewrite the claim. Try a new search of fact-checking sites, or find an alternate source (Circle back).

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What people need most when confronted with a claim that may not be 100% true is things they can do to get closer to the truth. They need something I have decided to call "moves." Moves accomplish intermediate goals in the fact-checking process. They are associated with specific tactics.

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This video breaks down how to find appropriate sources as you search for information

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Inform Your Thinking: Episode 6 - Search Smarter

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This website provides tips on how to evaluate books, articles, and websites. Quiz your knowledge and practice making critical choices about the sources you use.

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Determining Validity and Reliability of Sources (English III Research) | Texas Gateway

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You will learn how to review your sources, determine which are valid and reliable, and choose the ones you want to use in your research.

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How do you decide what sources to use when gathering information? What makes a source "good"?

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This resource gives specific examples of different types of sources available to you online.

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Evaluating Digital Sources

Because so much information is now available online, it's important to know how to navigate digital sources versus print sources. Today, almost every print source has a digital edition (e.g., ebooks, online newspapers), and some academic journals only publish digitally. However, despite the many credible digital sources available today, there are still many unreliable sources available on the internet. Below are some suggestions for evaluating digital texts and a breakdown of the different types of sources available online.

Search Engine Optimization

Search engine optimization (often abbreviated SEO) is a strategy used to increase unpaid views on a website from search engines. By using an algorithm, SEO works by locating keywords and sorting information for relevancy and accuracy. For example, if you were to search "How to change a flat tire" in a search engine, you would most likely get how-to videos and pages, rather than someone selling their car on Craigslist, because the algorithm sorts the webpages based on the keywords you input.

Different search engines may utilize SEO differently, which also means that, depending on what search engine you use, you might have different results appear first. For example, companies that are owned by Google will most likely appear first when searching for something on Google. However, if you used a different search engine, such as Yahoo or Bing, your results may differ.

Understanding SEO is important because it dictates the initial information you're presented with when using a search engine for your research.

Differences in Domain Extensions

Different websites have different domain extensions, that is, the final string of letters following the period on a website's domain name. Domain extensions help differentiate the type of websites and the different purposes they serve.

Below is a breakdown of the most common domain extensions:

.com⁠-a commercial website

.gov⁠-a government owned/operated website

.org⁠-a website associated with an organization

.edu⁠-a website associated with an educational institution

.net⁠-a website used by network providers

While there is no universal rule for whether a website's domain extension makes it credible, it's important to know that .com, .org, and .net domain extensions can be purchased and used by anyone. However, the .edu domain extension is reserved only for educational institutions, and the .gov domain extension is only used by governmental institutions.

Determining a website's credibility can be especially confusing for websites with a .org extension that appear to have a governmental or educational affiliation. For example, the website passportUSA.org appears to contain official instructions for applying for a passport online; however, it is simply a PDF editing site. Because of the .org domain extension, it appears more credible.

On the other hand, some well-known organizations use a .com domain extension. Both National Geographicand TED use .com domain extension, despite the fact that they're large organizations.

It's important to not necessarily evaluate an online source simply based on its domain extension. As you navigate through different sources, you need to examine the authors and the website's other credentials before making assumptions simply by the domain extension.

Wikipedia

Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia, created by the Wikimedia Foundation. Like other encyclopedias, Wikipedia can provide valuable information about certain topics. However, unlike encyclopedias, Wikipedia pages can be edited by anyone, which means that sometimes the information stated is not reliable and is edited for the sake of making a joke (see example below).

In fact, even Wikipedia itself encourages its users to take caution when gathering information from its site. It states: "Users should be aware that not all articles are of encyclopedic quality from the start. Indeed, many articles start out by giving one-perhaps not particularly evenhanded-view of the subject, and it is after a long process of discussion, debate, and argument that they gradually take on a consensus form. Others may become caught up in a heavily unbalanced viewpoint and can take some time-months perhaps-to regain a better-balanced consensus" (see "Researching with Wikipedia").

While it's not encouraged to use Wikipedia as one of your main sources, Wikipedia can be used as a jumping-off point for other sources. At the bottom of most Wikipedia pages, you can find a list of sources that will take you to other pages (see image below).

Clickbait

Clickbait is a type of sensationalized advertisement that seeks to attract viewers through catchy or seemingly unbelievable headlines. Most sites that use clickbait use it to simply gain "clicks" on their site.

When looking for sources online, it's important to recognize which article titles sound like clickbait. Most clickbait articles want to shock the reader, so be aware of words like surprising, alarming, and shockingin titles. Another form of clickbait is a page that challenges the viewer to a quiz or test. These will entice the reader by stating that the reader probably cannot answer each question correctly.

Understanding which articles are clickbait helps you evaluate your sources for credibility. Because clickbait sources exist simply to promote webpages, they are not considered credible sources.

Social Media

Social media is simply defined as any type of digital space that allows users to create content and share it with others in a social setting. A few of the most common social media platforms are Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Tumblr, and Instagram. While social media is not regularly used as a source in research, sometimes you might use a YouTube video or a tweet from a well-known individual.

When evaluating social media sites, it's important to know more about a user beyond their username. For example, if you were interested in examining how scientists use Twitter as a platform, you might find yourself quoting a tweet by Bill Nye or the physicist Brian Cox. Both of these individuals have blue checks next to their Twitter handles, which means the accounts are verified. However, you might not want to quote a tweet by someone with an anonymous name and a Twitter handle such as @iluvscience321.

Similarly, YouTube videos can either be posted by a large organization or a single user. If you are interested in using a YouTube video in your research, look at whether the publisher is a larger organization (such as TED or National Geographic) or a single user that only publishes under a username. While not all large organizations produce unbiased information, more well-known organizations will most likely provide more credible information.

In general, while you will probably not use a lot of social media in your research, if you do, try to locate the people or groups behind the usernames. After you identify the person or organization, you can find out more about them and determine their credibility.

Personal Websites

Many people have personal websites, such as blogs, that are not associated with a larger group or organization. Blogs can range in subject, from seasonal fashion tips to discussing every one of Emily Dickinson's poems. When evaluating a personal website, find out what you can about the author and their affiliations. Some personal websites exist solely to spread propaganda or other biased information.

Podcasts

Podcasts are becoming a much more popular digital medium today. Podcasts are essentially audio files that can be streamed on a computer or mobile device, like portable radio. They are usually part of a series or follow a theme.

Like YouTube videos, podcasts can be valuable resources if used correctly. While almost anyone can produce a podcast, and topics range from discussing tv shows or books like The Bachelor and Harry Potter, other podcasts give in-depth information about science, history, anthropology, and a wide variety of other topics. For example, podcasts like Stuff You Missed in History Class and Historium Unearthia provide information on often-overlooked historical events.

Like most sources, you should try to find out information about the author and cross-check the information in the podcast to see if you can find it elsewhere. Because anyone can produce a podcast, be aware that biased podcasts exist, and some might be used as propaganda.

Online News Articles

It's possible to find many news articles online, both from digital newspapers and websites that post news articles. When examining online news articles, find out what you can about the organization behind the articles. Different news outlets may have different agendas attached to their reporting. For example, some websites are known for being more left-wing or right-wing.

Online Databases

Often, the most reliable information you will find on the internet will come from online databases. A database is a large collection of data, usually about one specific topic or idea. Some databases contain a broader field of information, while some are narrower. For example, Hoosier State Chronicles is a database that only houses Indiana newspapers, while JSTOR is a database that holds a wider variety of journals and books.

When looking for online sources, using a database helps you find credible information. In order for a source to be included in a database, it usually must go through a screening process that requires individuals to verify the information in the text. Because of this cross-checking process, the articles you find in databases will usually be more reliable than sources you might find simply by looking for them using a search engine.

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Because so much information is now available online, it's important to know how to navigate digital sources versus print sources. Today, almost every print source has a digital edition (e.g., ebooks, online newspapers), and some academic journals only publish digitally. However, despite the many credible digital sources available today, there are still many unreliable sources available on the internet.

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Evaluating Evidence: Crash Course Navigating Digital Information #6

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This Crash Course video provides strategies for finding credible sources

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Who Can You Trust? Crash Course Navigating Digital Information #4

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Read through this how-to guide on finding credible sources

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A source is credible when it is trustworthy. Sometimes it is hard to determine whether a source is credible or not, as voicing an opinion or presenting false information as fact without any credentials or proof is easy for anyone, especially online. Sources can often appear as credible even when they are not. Here are a few points to consider when evaluating sources for credibility:

Be skeptical

Just because something is presented as a fact, it doesn't mean that it is. Question everything, books, articles, websites, can all contain false data.

Examine the source's and author's credentials and affiliations

Always research the background of any source you are considering using for your paper. Consider the author's credentials and affiliations, are they associated with a certain special interest group? Can the author/source be biased because of certain views and affiliations?

Evaluate what sources are cited by the author

Unless the author is analyzing their own data, their information came from somewhere. Beware if the author doesn't list sources. Always review the sources listed and make sure they stand up to scrutiny.

Nowadays, due to the speed at which technology moves, information goes out-of-date quickly. Make sure that your source is still relevant and applicable.

Check the endorsements and reviews that the source received

You can read reviews of books printed on them or on the websites of online book retailers. You can find reviews of larger reputable websites. Some smaller sources, like journal articles, might not have reviews readily available, but you can check if the author is reputable.

Check if the publisher of the source is reputable

Large publishers or reputable magazines and journals will thoroughly check the facts of the information they are distributing, which makes these sources pretty safe.

Make sure the source does not use loaded or vague terms to support itself

Beware of sources that use vague terms like "recent studies show", or "many people believe", without backing up these claims with citations. Also beware of buzzwords playing on the readers' emotions.

Beware of bias

Always evaluate if the source presents clear and unbiased information, or if it aims at persuading you from a specific view. A source written from a specific point of view may still be credible, but it can limit the coverage of a topic to a particular side of a debate.

More information

Frequently Asked Questions about finding credible sources
What is a credible source?
A source is credible when it is trustworthy. The exact definition changes depending from the field of research. In general, a credible source is an unbiased reference backed up by real facts.
How to determine if a source is credible?
Here are some aspects to watch out for to determine if a source is credible or not:

Examine the source's and author's credentials and affiliations

Evaluate what sources are cited by the author

Make sure the source is up-to-date

Check the endorsements and reviews that the source received

Check if the publisher of the source is reputable

How do you make sure a source is up-to-date?
Mostly in the humanities, arts, history, and literature, a source should not be older than 10 years to be considered up-to-date and credible. Any source older than 10 years should be avoided.
How do I know if the publisher of the source is reputable?
Usually, if the publisher is a large widely known magazine or journal, then it is a credible publisher. Examples of these publishers are Science Mag or Nature. These publishers thoroughly check the facts of the information they are distributing, which makes these sources pretty safe.
How to know if a source is biased?
When a source is biased, it aims at persuading you from a specific view. A source written from a specific point of view may still be credible, but it can limit the coverage of a topic to a particular side of a debate. Make sure to always evaluate

Always evaluate if the source presents clear and unbiased information, or if i A

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How can I find credible sources? - Paperpile

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A source is credible when it is trustworthy. Sometimes it is hard to determine whether a source is credible or not, as voicing an opinion or presenting false information as fact without any credentials or proof is easy for anyone, especially online. Sources can often appear as credible even when they are not.

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Making critical choices about information sources to use.

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Grade level: Secondary, 11-12th grades