How can I tell if my source is credible?
Answer
Here are a few things to consider when evaluating a source for credibility:
- Author: Look for the author’s name(s), credentials, expertise, other work, and reputation
- Sources: Look for a bibliography, works cited, or other list of sources the author used. Are these credible?
- Age: Look for the publication or copyright date. Is it current enough for your topic?
- Publisher: Look for the name of the publisher (or parent website). What other kinds of sources does this publisher provide? What is their purpose is publishing information (to persuade, educate, inform, entertain, etc.)?
You can find more strategies for evaluating information on our online guide.
