Below are some tips on evaluating a source, and deciding whether it is appropriate to your information need.
Looking at the Source and its Content
- Is this type of source acceptable for your assignment?
- What is the date of the source? Is its findings still relevant today? Or has information changed?
- Does the information provided make sense? Can you follow along with the argument?
- Does it cite its own sources correctly? Does it provide a work cited page?
- How will this source relate to your own argument? Can you use it to support or provide an alternative to your argument?
Looking Outside Your Source
- What do you know about who produced this source? What is their reputation? Are they know for any specific POV or Bias?
- This can refer to the publisher, journal/magazine/newspaper, website, etc.
- Have a bias isn't necessarily a negative attribute, but knowing that will help you identify how much support it will provide your argument.
- What do you know about the author? What is their background or credentials?
- Are they actually experts in the discipline related to your topic?
- What else have the published?
- What do others say about the information in your source? Did they support the content, or call it into question?
- Is what you source says consistent with other sources you've found? Outlying information might require addition verification.
*There is no silver bullet that can say whether a source is "good" or not. But, the more informed you are about the source, the more confident you can be.