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COM 231 - Public Speaking: Evaluate Sources

Introduction

Many credible sources can be found in the Library's catalog and databases, but how can you determine if the source is useful to your research? How can you determine if a web resource is credible? Before using information found on a website or through the Library for your research project, consider the following criteria to evaluate its credibility and or applicability:

Accuracy, Authority, Objectivity, and Currency

If these criteria are present then you may have a high quality source that could be of value to your research. If they are not present, be wary of utilizing this source for your research.

Know Your Sources

DAPPR Test

Points

3

2

1

0

Date
When was this information published?
Is it out of date?
If it’s a website, has it been updated recently?

The information is less than 5 years old

The information is older, but not necessarily out of date (some topic sight not need extremely up to date info)

The information is clearly out of date for the topic

It is unclear when the information was published

Author
What are the author’s credentials?
What makes them an expert on this topic?

The author has credentials that show they are an expert in this topic (they might have a degree in this field, work at a university, have experience with this topic, etc.)

The author is a qualified journalist, OR This information was written by a known organization (known = most people are aware of that organization)

The author is not an expert but has some knowledge in the topic (a student, a fan, a
hobbyist)

It is unclear who wrote this information OR The author is not qualified to write on this topic

Publisher
Who or what published this source?
Are they reputable and credible?

Published by a
scholarly journal, the
U.S. government, or
a University Press

Published by a known organization (such as the ACLU or the AARP), a university website, a reputable publishing house, a magazine, or a newspaper

Published by a K-12 school or an unknown organization (unknown = most people aren’t aware of it)

Self-published (blogs, personal websites, fan sites, etc.)

Purpose
Why was this information published?
Does it have an agenda or it is purely informational?

To promote unbiased
scholarship on this
topic. Empirical
research with
unbiased sponsors is
preferred

To provide factual knowledge on the topic to adults. Some opinion may be included

To sell something,
persuade someone,
promote an idea, or
provide knowledge to
children

For personal or entertainment purposes OR To mislead or promote propaganda

Relevancy
Does this source contain well-researched information that directly supports your research and fits your information needs?

The vast majority of
this source contains
in-depth,
well-researched
information on your
topic

At least 50 percent of the source contains in-depth information on your topic

Only a small part of
the source contains
information on your
topic
OR
Information is not
well-researched

The source mentions your topic but doesn’t
spend more than a few words on it.

0-7 points​ - This source’s information cannot be verified and should not be used in college-level research.
8-10​ points​ - This source is a good starting point for background information, but should not be used as a source in college-level research. Be wary--this source may also have an agenda.
11-12 points​ - This is an okay source for research, but you may need to back up this source with additional research.
13-15 points​ - An excellent source for college-level research!

Note: the author and publisher information is especially important! I do not recommend using sources where the author or publisher score lower than 2.

Use the CRAP Test

It is challenging to determine whether information from the Web is credible and can be trusted. Is it factual? Biased? Relevant to your topic?

Here is a handy acronym to help you determine if a source may be CRAP.

 

 

  • CURRENCY:  How recently was this information published/posted? Can you find a publication date?
  • RELIABILITY:  Is the information supported by evidence? Can it be confirmed by other sources?
  • AUTHORITY:  Who wrote the information - are they an expert or knowledgeable in their field? (i.e. For health information, did a doctor or nurse write it?)
  • PURPOSE / POINT OF VIEW:  Why was it written? To sell something? To sway opinion? Is it biased toward a particular point of view?

Question Authority

Authority refers to the credibility of the author or institution of the source. If you want to use a source for your research, make sure the authority of that source is reliable and trustworthy. Below are some questions to ask when determining the level of a source's authority.

  • Is the author's contact information listed? If not, or if written anonymously, there is no one to hold accountable for the information provided.
  • What is the author's credentials? If not provided, be skeptical of their credibility.
  • What is the author or organization's area of expertise? Are they an authority on the topic being discussed?
  • Is the author affiliated with an accredited educational or respected research institution?

Another way to help you evaluate a website's credibility is to determine the type of website you have found. Look at the URL. What does it say?

.com = commercial site
.edu = educational site
.gov = U.S. government site
.org = non-profit organization site (usually, but not always)
.mil = U.S. military sites and agencies
.net = networks/Internet Service Providers

Coverage (Choosing the Best Sources)

Coverage refers to the level of substance and perspective found in a source's content. Make sure the source discusses your topic with the depth appropriate for your research. Find sources which discuss multiple perspectives or find multiple sources with contrasting points of view to ensure ample coverage on your topic.

  • Does the source provide one or many points of view? 
  • Does the information presented possess the proper depth needed for your research question?
  • Does the resource add new information or does it simply compile information found elsewhere?
  • Would those original sources be more appropriate for use in your research? 

Media Bias Chart