Evaluating Sources

Evaluating the worth of the sources you uncover is perhaps the most important part of research. A paper is strong only if the information it contains is valid.

Print Sources
When referring to books, take several steps to assess their worth:

• Who is the author? What are the author's credentials? What is the author's affiliation? What other works has this author published on your topic? What is the author's reputation as a scholar?
  
• Who is the publisher? Works published by university presses such as Yale University or large publishers like Random House come under the scrutiny of editors who are experts on the subjects the books cover. As a result, these presses often publish more reputable sources.
  
• How extensive is the bibliography? Has the author documented sources, using the most up-to-date and reliable research?

When referring to articles in periodicals, check again for the author's credentials and the sources of the information contained in the article. Check also for the reputation of the magazine or journal in which you found the article. The Journal of the American Medical Association may give you more reliable information on topics related to health than a local newspaper will.

Internet Sources

• First, is an author given? If no author is listed, be skeptical. Most authors are proud of work they have written if it is reliable. Failure to include as name with an Internet article may indicate that the article contains unsubstantiated opinions.
  
• What are the author's credentials? Is the author an expert in the field? Does the author have obvious biases?
  
• Is there a print copy of the source? Has it also been published in a magazine or journal?
  What is the source of the information?
  
• Is the site associated with a professional organization or university? If so, is the organization devoted to objective study or is it heavily biased?
  

Much information on the Internet is dependable; much is not. Use information gained through the Internet with caution.

• Evaluating Sources of Information from Purdue University including Internet Sources
  
• Assessing the Credibility of Online Sources