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Skip to Main ContentWhen writing your papers, it is necessary to evaluate every source (book, article, website, etc...) to ensure it is reliable and authoritative. These are some of the questions you can ask yourself about each source to see if it is indeed authoritative and citable.
Currency
Note: The currency standard will differ depending on the discipline.
Authority
Scope
Accuracy
General assessment strategies:
Print Resources |
Web Pages |
Databases |
Scan table of contents |
Scan menus |
Review help section |
Scan title page |
Scan root page |
Read about/scope information |
Scan index(es) |
Scan site map |
Review the list of publications/sources included |
Read preface |
Read introduction |
Determine the vendor/source |
Scan references/bibliography |
Scan references/bibliography |
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Read author’s bio |
Read author’s bio |
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Developed by Sara Lowe and Karen Wallace; informed by Libraries Linking Idaho course on evaluating reference sources
These steps are designed to help you determine if a source (journal article, book, website, etc.) is appropriate for use in your research paper.
First off: How do you intend to use this source?
Who is the author?
Why was the source written?
How was it written?
Why was it posted or published?