When selecting your sources, consider the following:

• Is it too general? A one-paragraph encyclopedia entry might not give enough information for a college-level project. You'll need to look for more.
• Is it too specific? Maybe you're looking for some background information on the history of music in one country. A book focusing exclusively on one composer from the 1920s in that country will be too specific to your needs.
• Is it relevant? After going down a research rabbit-hole, sometimes you lose track of what information you really need. Double-check to make sure your source answers the questions you need it to answer.
• Is it credible? See below for more information on evaluating source credibility.

Think critically about web sites and print resources.  

• Authority: Who is the author or creator?  What are their credentials for this topic?
• Content: What is the author's bias? Who was the information written for?
• Currency: What is the publication date?  When was the website last updated? Does this matter for your topic?
• Validity: Is the information accurate or valid?  Are there references to other works that support the information?
• Publisher: Do they have a good reputation?