ITLS 7021: Evaluating Sources

When conducting research, it can be difficult to identify sources that are credible and relevant to your topic. Watch this video to learn how to evaluate your sources for credibility and relevance by asking yourself a few questions about your sources. 

How Does Your Source Measure Up?

Evaluation Wheel

Information is not created equal and it is important to choose high-quality and relevant information sources for research assignments. You should evaluate each source you find, which means using criteria to determine if the source is credible and useful for your information need. One set of criteria you can use is the Evaluation Wheel. It is a series of questions to help you investigate and evaluate your sources.

Stop!

Check your emotions

• Stop and ask: How does this source make you feel? 
  • Note any strong emotions such as fear, anger, happiness, or validation
  • Why do you think this source is making you feel that way?
  • Becoming aware of your own opinions and possible biases from the start helps you more objectively evaluate the source.

Check your prior knowledge

• Stop and ask: What do you already know or believe about this topic, this source, and its claim?

Who?

Who created the source?

• Who is/are the author(s)?
  • Is the author(s) human? An organization? Generative AI?

What are their credentials?

• Go further than just the author bio within the source
• Use lateral reading to go outside the source and investigate the authors' background and other publications
• Is the author an expert on this topic? Do they have personal experience with this topic?

What are their potential biases?

• Can you detect potential biases they may have due to their past work or who they are affiliated with?

What?

What's the authors' main claim?

• What is the purpose or intent of the source?

What sources do they cite as support?

• Can you fact check or verify in another source?

Is the author ignoring other perspectives or more current information? 

Where?

Where was it published?

• Is it a peer-reviewed academic journal? A news publication? A podcast? A content farm?

Does the publication have a potential bias? 

Who is the intended audience? 

• See the Spectrum of Sources tab to learn more about source types and intended audience.

Why?

Why is the source useful?

• How does it fit your assignment or information need?
• Why is this information relevant to your argument? 
• How could it enhance your argument? 
  • Does it fill a gap in your research?