by UTEP Connect
Research papers are a large part of many college courses, and the quality of your paper will only be as good as your research. The internet makes research on almost any topic more convenient and accessible than in the past, but it also presents some challenges. With all the information that’s online, how do you know if you’re using a reliable source?
The following tips will help you tell a good source from one that’s biased, outdated, or inaccurate:
1. Check the domain name
Look at the three letters at the end of the site’s domain name, such as “edu” (educational), “gov” (government), “org” (nonprofit), and “com” (commercial). Generally, .edu and .gov websites are credible, but beware of sites that use these suffixes in an attempt to mislead. Nonprofit websites may also contain reliable information, but take some time to consider the organization’s purpose and agenda to determine if it could be biased. Commercial websites, such as those of reputable news organizations, can also be good sources, but do some investigation to look for signs of reliability.
Also, you can check online to see who owns a domain name and whether the owner’s IP address is in the U.S. or abroad.
2. Take a closer look at the source
Does the article or study have any authors listed? If so, do they cite or link to authoritative sources, or are they writing their own opinions without backing these up with facts? Are their credentials listed?
Additionally, check the date of publication. In some cases, it may not matter if the source is older or hasn’t been recently updated, but in fields of study where information can rapidly change, the data may be obsolete.
3. Search for additional information to back up what you’ve found
As you find information, try to verify its authenticity and legitimacy using other reliable sites. If you find another credible site that contradicts your original source, further research may be required.
4. Use certain sources only to jump-start additional research
Wikipedia
Wikipedia offers a large volume of information, but because its entries are created in a collaborative effort involving many different users, its reliability can vary widely. In some cases, users deliberately place incorrect information on the site; in others, well-meaning users unintentionally introduce inaccuracies. For these reasons, you can use Wikipedia as a jumping-off point to spark more research, but not as a source on its own.
Individual blogs, online forums, chat rooms, etc.
Much like Wikipedia, sources such as individuals’ blogs, online forums and chat rooms can be used to fuel further research, but shouldn’t be relied upon as sources of dependable information.
If you have a question about the authenticity of a source, you can always reach out to your professor; the University Writing Center at The University of Texas at El Paso; or the UTEP Library, which offers assistance via email (libraryref@utep.edu), SMS (915-249-3383) and phone (915-747-5643 or 915-747-5638).
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FAQs
It is important to be able to identify which sources are credible. This ability requires an understanding of depth, objectivity, currency, authority, and purpose. Whether or not your source is peer-reviewed, it is still a good idea to evaluate it based on these five factors.
What are 4 ways to differentiate a good source from a bad source? ›
The criteria are:
- Currency: Timeliness of the information.
- Relevance: Importance of the information for your needs.
- Authority: Source of the information.
- Accuracy: Truthfulness and correctness of the information.
- Purpose: Reason the information exists.
That criteria are as follows:
- Authority: Who is the author? What are their credentials? ...
- Accuracy: Compare the author's information to that which you already know is reliable. ...
- Coverage: Is the information relevant to your topic and does it meet your needs? ...
- Currency: Is your topic constantly evolving?
Analyzing a Source Using P.R.O.V.E.N.
- Purpose: How and why the source was created. ...
- Relevance: The value of the source for your needs. ...
- Objectivity: Information is supported by evidence rather than personal bias. ...
- Verifiability: Information is based on credible sources and peer-reviewed research.
It is important to be able to identify which sources are credible. This ability requires an understanding of depth, objectivity, currency, authority, and purpose. Whether or not your source is peer-reviewed, it is still a good idea to evaluate it based on these five factors.
How to identify a bad source? ›
Unreliable Sources
- Authors are unnamed or lack credentials.
- The headline seems hard to believe or sensational.
- Found on social media, but not on traditional news sites.
- Uses poor spelling or grammar.
- Marked as “Sponsored Content” or “Advertisem*nt”
- Sources are missing or vaguely described.
Basically, if you have more than one source by the same author, with the same publication year, you need to add letters a, b, c, d, etc. behind the year to help differentiate them from one another. The letters (a, b c....) are determined by the order of the sources on the reference page (alphabetically by title).
What is the difference between reliable and unreliable sources? ›
Reliable sources are written with professionalism, unreliable sources are not. Reliable sources are reviewed before they are published, which means that they should not contain any grammatical errors as edited material increases accuracy and makes it easier to read.
How can I tell if a source is reliable? ›
How do I know if a source is credible?
- An author who is an expert or a well-respected publisher (such as the NY Times or Wall Street Journal).
- Citations for sources used.
- Up-to-date information for your topic.
- Unbiased analysis of the topic (i.e. author examines more than one perspective on the issue).
Does the article or study have any authors listed? If so, do they cite or link to authoritative sources, or are they writing their own opinions without backing these up with facts? Are their credentials listed? Additionally, check the date of publication.
Primary Source Analysis & Evaluation
- Identify. Specific/important details. Context or events taking place at the time. Why created? Related information (primary, secondary, tertiary).
- Utilize. Synthesize and incorporate into your research. Don't forget to cite!
Any resource—print, human, or electronic—used to support your research topic must be evaluated for its credibility and reliability. Evaluate sources of information by examining them for authority, accuracy, objectivity, currency, and coverage.
What are the 4 criteria for determining if information gathered is from a verified scientific resource? ›
Common evaluation criteria include: purpose and intended audience, authority and credibility, accuracy and reliability, currency and timeliness, and objectivity or bias.
What defines a good source? ›
A reliable source is one that provides a thorough, well-reasoned theory, argument, discussion, etc. based on strong evidence. Scholarly, peer-reviewed articles or books -written by researchers for students and researchers. Original research, extensive bibliography.
How do you know that these are good sources? ›
Together, these criteria form what is known as the CRAAP test.
- The information should be up-to-date and current.
- The source should be relevant to your research.
- The author and publication should be a trusted authority on the subject you are researching.
To know if a source is reliable, a person needs to check its currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, and purpose. When the researcher uses each of these characteristics of reliability, they will be able to assess how reliable a piece of information they are using is.
What are the four different types of sources? ›
Primary sources are original works, secondary sources are analyses of those original works, and tertiary sources are collections of secondary source information. Academic, scientific, and business professionals use all three types of sources, as appropriate.
How can you tell the difference between reliable and unreliable sources? ›
Does the article or study have any authors listed? If so, do they cite or link to authoritative sources, or are they writing their own opinions without backing these up with facts? Are their credentials listed? Additionally, check the date of publication.
What are the differences between each source of information? ›
Primary sources function as the main object of analysis in a research study, whereas secondary resources are used to describe, interpret, generalize, or synthesize primary sources. Secondary sources help readers understand second-hand information and commentary and can detail how and why a historical event occurred.
What are the 5 W's of source analysis? ›
The main part you must then focus on is the body of the essay, and this is where the 5 W's come in: Who, What, Where, Why, When. These will form the body of your analysis and will be stuctured as follows:Who: Who wrote the source?
