How to Find Reliable Sources for Your Research
Whether you are a student or professional, credible information is critical. However, determining credibility requires more than just a quick search online or in the library. It also involves judgment and a bit of skepticism.
As a general rule, sources that end in.gov or.org tend to be more reliable than a personal blog or social media post. However, this doesn’t always hold true.
Check the Author’s Credentials
When evaluating articles, books and websites for use in your research, it’s important to check the author’s credentials. This means looking to see if the author has a degree in your subject area, and also checking to see if they’re regarded as an expert in their field. It’s also important to look at how accurate the information is, and whether it’s up-to-date for your topic.
Some sources are better than others at providing reliable information. For example, a newspaper might have many mistakes in it, but they’re generally fixed quickly and are unlikely to contain large amounts of inaccurate information. However, a tabloid newspaper with mostly celebrity news and gossip might not be as reliable as a national paper.
Check the Source’s Accuracy
The accuracy of a source refers to its correctness, truthfulness, and overall excellence and quality of information. Look for scholarly articles that reference research studies, expert(s), and other original sources and can be verified elsewhere. These are a good place to start your search, and can be found in GALILEO’s academic databases and Google Scholar.
Often, secondary and even primary sources will contain bias. While this doesn’t necessarily make the source unreliable, it is important to evaluate bias and consider how the author may have influenced their writing. Tools like this media bias chart can help you determine potential bias in a particular article.
Once you’ve determined the author’s credentials and checked for accuracy, it’s time to evaluate the content of the source. A quick way to do this is to use the CRAAP test. This acronym, developed by California State University, will help you assess whether a website is credible and provides you with reliable information.
Check the Source’s Purpose
When evaluating sources, consider the author’s motives. For example, if you are researching climate change, an article written by a scientist associated with the oil industry will have a different perspective than one from a scientific journal published by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The date of publication is also a factor to keep in mind. This is particularly important when searching for information that is likely to become obsolete quickly, such as recent events or health news. If you are looking at a study on the effects of Coronavirus, for instance, you’ll want to choose a source that is updated regularly.
Generally speaking, sources that come from governmental or educational institutions are considered credible. Academic databases and search engines, such as Google Scholar, are also a safe bet when it comes to finding reliable information. Using credible and reliable sources helps to ensure your audience will believe the claims you make in your research paper.
Check the Source’s Reputation
Whether you’re writing a paper for school or making a presentation at work, using unreliable sources can have serious consequences. False information can damage your credibility and may even land you in legal trouble. In addition, it’s important to use credible sources whenever possible because they show that you’ve done your homework and are an informed source of information.
Generally, it’s safe to assume that if you’re reading an academic journal article or research-based report then you can consider the source to be credible. However, some sources require more scrutiny than others. For example, you’ll want to be careful with news articles and blog posts because they can often contain inaccurate or outdated information.
Another thing to look for is any mechanical errors. Misspelled words or improper grammar can be a sign that the author hasn’t taken their time to edit their work. Also, make sure to check for the currency of the information. If the study or article is old it may no longer be relevant to your research.