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Library & Research Overview

A guide to using the CIA Library and conducting basic academic research.

Evaluating Sources

This guide presents techniques for evaluating information sources. This can help determine if a source is appropriate to use for your assignments and coursework. 

Information can be easy to find online, but figuring out if it is "good" information can be difficult. We evaluate sources to check if they are reliable, factual, valid, objective, and trustworthy. It is your right and your responsibility to critically evaluate all information sources that you rely on to create your own original work. 

The basic questions and criteria are the same for all types of information sources: books, articles, academic/scholarly publications, websites, media, artificial intelligence, and more.

ASK:

WHO? - Authority - Who is the author or creator; what is their background and qualifications? Can you identify a writer or creator? Is the creator an individual, an organization, or a company? 

WHY? - Purpose & Objectivity - Why are they presenting this information? Are they trying to persuade you, sell you something, or provide information? What is their point-of-view? Do they have a bias or prejudice?

WHAT? - Accuracy of Content - Is the information based on facts and evidence? Do they cite their sources and explain how & where they got their information? Can you verify the information with more research?

WHEN? - Timeliness - Is there a publication date provided? Is the information current and up-to-date? Does it need to be? Is it acceptable to use older or historic information for your project?

HOW? - Publication & Presentation - Is it published in a reputable source, like a newspaper, magazine, or journal? If it is a book, can you identify the publisher, such as a University Press? Is it well-organized and professional-looking?

 

What is Scholarly Communication?

Publishing papers in journals is a way that scholars “talk” to each other; how they share information with each other about their research, ideas, and discoveries.

You are now joining that conversation with your own original voice.

Remember, when anyone starts a research project, whether you are a student writing a paper for an assignment or a professor writing an article for publication, you must review what others have discovered and written about your topic.

First you READ, then you WRITE.

Just like with any other source, it is crucial to know how to evaluate the articles you use for your research or projects. By understanding how to assess what you read, you will ensure that your research is built on accurate, trustworthy information.

For every article you find, ask yourself these key questions:

 

Purpose of Article:

Why was the article written? To:

  • persuade the reader to do something? For example: vote a certain way, purchase an item, attend an event
  • inform the reader? For example: results of a study/experiment, what happened at an event
  • prove something? For example: that a behavior is bad/good, a method works/doesn't work

Type of Publication: 

 

For college papers, information should be obtained mainly from scholarly journals.

  • Scholarly Journals contain articles describing high quality research that has been reviewed by experts in the field prior to publication.
  • Trade magazines are important for professionals and students preparing to enter an industry. For academic projects, they can be useful for industry information or economic data.
  • Popular magazines, such as Time, People, Bon Appetit, should be used sparingly, or not at all.
  • Organization and Content: Is the material organized and focused? Is the argument or presentation understandable? Is this original research, a review of previous research, or an informative piece?
Bias:
 

 Some publications have an inherent bias that will impact articles printed in them. Is the journal:

  • political?
  • an alternative press?
  • sponsored by a company or an industry lobby, such as a pharmaceutical company or a marketing board? 
Date of Article:

Some topics, such as those in the sciences, require current information. Other subjects, such as history, value older material as well as current. Know the time needs of your topic and examine the timeliness of the article; is it:

  • up-to-date,
  • out-of-date, or
  • timeless?
Bibliography:

Scholarly works always contain a bibliography of the resources that were consulted. The references in this list should be in sufficient quantity and be appropriate for the content. Look for:

  • if a bibliography exists
  • if the bibliography is short or long
  • if the references are original journal articles or only summaries from encyclopedias, etc.
  • if the references are contemporary to the article or much older
  • if the citation style is clear and consistent
Usefulness

Is the article relevant to the current research project? A well-researched, well-written article is not going to be helpful if it does not address the topic at hand. Ask, "is this article useful to me?" If it is a useful article, does it:

  • support an argument?
  • refute an argument?
  • give examples (survey results, primary research findings, case studies, incidents)?
  • provide "wrong" information that can be challenged or disagreed with productively?
Authority:

Is the author(s) an expert in this field? Do they have an academic or professional background? Where are they employed? What else have they written?
Coverage:  Does the article cover the topic comprehensively, or is it a summary or review?
Audience:

For what type of reader is the author writing? This ties in with the type of journal, as popular magazine are geared to the general reader, while trade magazines are for the specialist and scholarly journals are directed at researchers, scholars or experts in the field. Is the article for:

  • general readers?
  • students (high school, college, graduate)?
  • specialists or professional?
  • researchers or scholars?
Illustrations:  Are charts, graphs, maps, photographs, etc. used to illustrate concepts? Are the illustrations relevant? Are they clear and professional-looking?

Guide adapted from: Colorado State University Libraries How To Do Library Research / How to Evaluate Journal Articles

Many websites can be appropriate for academic work, including those from academic institutions, government organizations, and professional associations. However, websites can be "trickier" to evaluate than scholarly articles, as the quality and reliability of information can vary greatly.

To find reliable materials on the web, use search engines and subject directories. Google Advanced Search is a useful tool for narrowing results to specific domains, such as .edu, .org, or .gov.

Because information on the internet varies in its trustworthiness, it's important to critically assess each source. Review  our guide for tips on how to evaluate websites and news for academic use.

More videos:

Evaluating Sources by BYU Library Online Learning

 

More help on Evaluating Sources 

Purdue University OWL

Excelsior University OWL

Scribbr Guide

Source Evaluation [guide and video] by Utah State University 

Checklist for Evaluating Sources by MLA Style Guide


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