![]() ![]() Has the author been cited by other scholars? Google Scholar also has a function called “Cited By” that can show you where the author has been cited.Has the author of the article published other articles? A quick Google Scholar search will show you.Are there solid “About” and “ Scope” pages detailing what sorts of articles they publish?.Are the journal’s policies on copyright and peer review easily available?.Has the journal had to retract many articles?.Is the journal indexed in academic databases?.Research-oriented magazines like ScienceMag or Nature Weekly.Īs you dig deeper into your scholarly research, books and academic journals are usually your best bet.Īcademic journals are often a great place to find trustworthy and credible content, and are considered one of the most reliable sources you can use in academic writing. ![]() Credible sources for preliminary researchDepending on your topic, consider starting with: What sources you use depend on the kind of research you are conducting.įor preliminary research and getting to know a new topic, you could use a combination of primary, secondary, and tertiary sources. A panel of reviewers in the same subject area decide whether a submission should be accepted for publication based on a set of criteria.įor this reason, academic journals are often considered among the most credible sources you can use in a research project– provided that the journal itself is trustworthy and well-regarded. The peer review process evaluates submissions to academic journals. When evaluating academic journals or books published by university presses, it’s always a good rule of thumb to ensure they are peer-reviewed and published in a reputable journal. However, the veracity and reliability of online news sources can vary enormously-be sure to pay careful attention to authority here. Newspapers can be a great way to glean first-hand information about a historical event or situate your research topic within a broader context. Are they trustworthy? As a bonus, investigating the sources used may help you find new sources to add to your own bibliography. TipTake a look at what sources the author cited. As a rule of thumb, if a source is even passively trying to convince you to purchase something, it may not be credible. For example, a journal article discussing the efficacy of a particular medication may seem credible, but if the publisher is the manufacturer of the medication, you can’t be sure that it is free from bias. It can be very unclear (often by design!) what a source’s motive is. However, if you are researching the Peloponnesian War, a source from 200 years ago would be reasonable to refer to.īe careful when ascertaining purpose. The criteria for evaluating each point depend on your research topic.įor example, if you are researching cutting-edge scientific technology, a source from 10 years ago will not be sufficiently current. Purpose: What was the motive behind publishing this source?.Accuracy: Is the source supported by evidence? Are the claims cited correctly?.Authority: Where is the source published? Who is the author? Are they considered reputable and trustworthy in their field?.Relevance: Is the source relevant to your research?.California State University developed it in 2004 to help students remember best practices for evaluating content. The CRAAP test is a catchy acronym that will help you evaluate the credibility of a source you are thinking about using. For web sources, the URL and layout should signify that it is trustworthy.The sources the author cited should be easy to find, clear, and unbiased.The author and publication should be a trusted authority on the subject you are researching.The source should be relevant to your research.The information should be up-to-date and current.Together, these criteria form what is known as the CRAAP test. There are a few criteria to look at right away when assessing a source. Sources that identify, index, or consolidate primary and secondary sources Second-hand information that analyzes, describes, or evaluates sources (primary) Audio clips, such as speeches or interviews.Typeįirst-hand evidence giving you direct access to your research topic You will likely use a combination of the three types over the course of your research process. However, it’s up to you to ensure the information they provide is reliable and accurate. Primary sources are often considered the most credible in terms of providing evidence for your argument, as they give you direct evidence of what you are researching. There are many different types of sources, which can be divided into three categories: primary sources, secondary sources, and tertiary sources. ![]()
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