Skip to Main Content

CMST 3600: Communication & Conflict: Evaluating Sources

[CMST|3600]

Choosing Relevant Sources

When conducting research, it can be difficult to identify sources that are relevant to your topic. Watch this video to learn how to evaluate your sources for relevancy to your assignment requirements, interests, and audience. 

Investigating Your Sources

How Does Your Source Measure Up?

Information is not created equal. You will need to evaluate each source you want to use in your research. Use the criteria below to help you evaluate information for credibility and help you determine if it fits your situation. 

""

Who?

  • Who is/are the author(s)?
  • What are the authors' credentials?
  • Do the authors have any potential biases?
  • Who is the authors' intended audience?

""


What?

  • What's the authors' purpose?
  • What's the authors' thesis or argument?
  • Are multiple perspectives included?
  • Can you detect any bias? 

""


When?

  • When was it written?
  • Is the information outdated?
  • Is the information still relevant?
  • Is more current information available?

""


Where?

  • Where did the authors get their information?
  • Did the authors cite any sources for their arguments?
  • Is the information based in fact?
  • Where was it published?

""


Why?

  • Why is the source useful?
  • Why is it relevant to your topic?
  • How will it enhance your argument?
  • Does it meet your paper requirements?

""


Questions?

Profile Photo
Library Help
Subjects: Accounting, Agriculture, Animal, Dairy & Veterinary Sciences, Anthropology, Applied Economics, Applied Sciences, Technology, & Education, Arts, Automotive Technology, Aviation & Technical Education, Biological Engineering, Biology, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Communication Studies, Communicative Disorders & Deaf Education, Computer Science, Concurrent Enrollment/High School, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement, Data Management, Data Sets, Dictionaries & Encyclopedias, Digital Humanities, Economics & Finance, Education, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering, Engineering Education, English 1010/2010, Environment & Society, Geography, Geosciences, Human Development & Family Studies, Images, Instructional Technology & Learning Sciences, Interior Design, Intersectional Gender Studies & Research, Journalism & Communication, Kinesiology & Health Science, Landscape Architecture, Languages & Cultures, Library & Information Science, Management, Marketing & Strategy, Mathematics & Statistics, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Music, Newspapers, Nursing, Nutrition, Dietetics & Food Sciences, Philosophy, Physics, Plant, Soils & Climate, Political Science & Law, Psychology, Research Tips, Social Work, Sociology and Anthropology, Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling, Statistical Information, Technology, Design, and Technical Education, Theater Arts, Theses & Dissertations, Utah's Online Library, Veterinary Medicine, Visual Arts, Watershed Sciences, Welding, Wildland Resources