LibGuides: Research Process: Evaluating Sources

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When evaluating sources, consider the following:

Authority is Constructed and Contextual

Information resources reflect their creators' expertise and credibility, and are evaluated based on the information need and the context in which the information will be used. Authority is constructed in that various communities may recognize different types of authority. It is contextual in that the information need may help to determine the level of authority required.

Scholarship as Conversation

Communities of scholars, researchers, or professionals engage in sustained discourse with new insights and discoveries occurring over time as a result of varied perspectives and interpretations.

Source Evaluation Methods

CRAAP (Cal State Chico)
C = Currency (timeliness of the information)
R = Relevance (importance of the information for your needs)
A = Authority (source of the information)
A = Accuracy (reliability, truthfulness, & correctness of the content)
P = Purpose (reason the information exists)
P.R.O.V.E.N
P = Purpose (how & why created)
R = Relevance (value of source for your needs)
O = Objectivity (reasonableness & completeness of source)
V = Verifiability (accuracy & truthfulness of the information)
E = Expertise (authority of the authors & source)
N = Newness (age of the information)
SIFT
The SIFT method is primarily for social media, newsfeeds, and other online resources.
S = Stop - do you know the source and it's reputation?
I = Investigate the source
F = Find better coverage
T = Trace claims, quotes, and media to the original context.

Peer Review

Prior to publishing a book or article that is considered scholarly, the research needs to be reviewed by one or more experts in the field. They may recommend it be published, give suggestions to strengthen the piece, or recommend that it not be published. You can limit your search to peer reviewed journals by checking the filter box in the library catalog and most databases.

Check out this great video from Steely Library NKU:

Source Evaluation Resources & Guides

Source Evaluation Worksheet
Download and fill out this worksheet to help you evaluate sources you find for your research projects.

Evaluating Sources Cheat Sheet | Ikeda Library
When thinking about a source and whether or not we plan on using it in our research, we want to take a moment to critically evaluate it. This process can be done before we even read/listen/engage with the source by asking ourselves the following questions.

Cranky Uncle - Recognizing Misinformation Game (Monash Univ. - Australia)
Play this animated game to build your resistance to misinformation. Can download the app or use on your computer.
Evaluating Information (Penn State University)
"One of the most basic concepts in doing good research is evaluating the information you plan to use. ...This tutorial, through a series of videos, will provide a framework for thinking critically about all the information you encounter..."
Evaluating Primary Sources
While very similar to how any web site should be evaluated, primary sources require extra scrutiny for authenticity.
Evaluating Web Pages (UC Berkeley)
Questions to Ask & Strategies for Getting the Answers.
Five Criteria for Evaluating Web Sites (Cornell University)
A brief table of tips and questions to ask about webpages.
Identifying Bias (Univ. of WI - Green Bay)
Identifying bias can be tricky because it is not clearly stated. Bias can exist on a spectrum of political ideology, religious views, financial influence, misinformation, and more. All sources should be evaluated for potential bias -- from a tweeted link to a scholarly article.

Media Bias Chart

Differences between Magazines and Journals

Webcast
Here is a webcast from the University of Arkansas Libraries, explaining the differences between magazines and scholarly journals.