Evaluating Sources

The easy answer is that you have done the work and the research, now prove it by using reliable, trustworthy sources. Research involves critical thinking and deciding what is important to include in your assignment. The more credible your sources are, the more credible your conclusions are.  Always keep the requirements for each assignment in mind.  

Evaluating Sources: is your source...

Credible? Accurate? Relevant? Current? Reasonable? Objective? Reliable? 

Things to consider?  

1. Who wrote it?
2. What are their credentials? 
3. Where is it published?
4. Does it include citations to other quality sources?
5. How recent is the information?  How important is the date to the topic?  
6. Is the information out of date?  
7. Can you verify the information in other sources?  
8. Is the author biased?  Do they state their bias?  
9. Is the information presented to sell you something? 

How do you know?  You may have to do more research to look at an author's affiliation and other works.