by UTEP Connect
Research papers are a large part of many college courses, and the quality of your paper will only be as good as your research. The internet makes research on almost any topic more convenient and accessible than in the past, but it also presents some challenges. With all the information that’s online, how do you know if you’re using a reliable source?
The following tips will help you tell a good source from one that’s biased, outdated, or inaccurate:
1. Check the domain name
Look at the three letters at the end of the site’s domain name, such as “edu” (educational), “gov” (government), “org” (nonprofit), and “com” (commercial). Generally, .edu and .gov websites are credible, but beware of sites that use these suffixes in an attempt to mislead. Nonprofit websites may also contain reliable information, but take some time to consider the organization’s purpose and agenda to determine if it could be biased. Commercial websites, such as those of reputable news organizations, can also be good sources, but do some investigation to look for signs of reliability.
Also, you can check online to see who owns a domain name and whether the owner’s IP address is in the U.S. or abroad.
2. Take a closer look at the source
Does the article or study have any authors listed? If so, do they cite or link to authoritative sources, or are they writing their own opinions without backing these up with facts? Are their credentials listed?
Additionally, check the date of publication. In some cases, it may not matter if the source is older or hasn’t been recently updated, but in fields of study where information can rapidly change, the data may be obsolete.
3. Search for additional information to back up what you’ve found
As you find information, try to verify its authenticity and legitimacy using other reliable sites. If you find another credible site that contradicts your original source, further research may be required.
4. Use certain sources only to jump-start additional research
Wikipedia
Wikipedia offers a large volume of information, but because its entries are created in a collaborative effort involving many different users, its reliability can vary widely. In some cases, users deliberately place incorrect information on the site; in others, well-meaning users unintentionally introduce inaccuracies. For these reasons, you can use Wikipedia as a jumping-off point to spark more research, but not as a source on its own.
Individual blogs, online forums, chat rooms, etc.
Much like Wikipedia, sources such as individuals’ blogs, online forums and chat rooms can be used to fuel further research, but shouldn’t be relied upon as sources of dependable information.
If you have a question about the authenticity of a source, you can always reach out to your professor; the University Writing Center at The University of Texas at El Paso; or the UTEP Library, which offers assistance via email ([email protected]), SMS (915-249-3383) and phone (915-747-5643 or 915-747-5638).
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FAQs
Reliable sources use language that is clear of bias, unreliable sources do not. As the purpose of journalism is to provide the reader with information to help them make the best decisions in their lives, reputable sources will be unbiased and focused on reporting the facts.
What are 4 ways to differentiate a good source from a bad source? ›
- Currency: Timeliness of the information.
- Relevance: Importance of the information for your needs.
- Authority: Source of the information.
- Accuracy: Truthfulness and correctness of the information.
- Purpose: Reason the information exists.
That criteria are as follows:
- Authority: Who is the author? What are their credentials? ...
- Accuracy: Compare the author's information to that which you already know is reliable. ...
- Coverage: Is the information relevant to your topic and does it meet your needs? ...
- Currency: Is your topic constantly evolving?
How do I know if a source is credible?
- An author who is an expert or a well-respected publisher (such as the NY Times or Wall Street Journal).
- Citations for sources used.
- Up-to-date information for your topic.
- Unbiased analysis of the topic (i.e. author examines more than one perspective on the issue).
Reliable sources use language that is clear of bias, unreliable sources do not. As the purpose of journalism is to provide the reader with information to help them make the best decisions in their lives, reputable sources will be unbiased and focused on reporting the facts.
What are the 4 criteria of a reliable source? ›
Finding sources for research is important, but using unreliable sources will hurt your credibility and make your arguments seem less powerful. It is important to be able to identify which sources are credible. This ability requires an understanding of depth, objectivity, currency, authority, and purpose.
What are the 4 distinguishing characteristics of a credible source quizlet? ›
Credible Location: Visible name, professional connections, relevant connections, and no credentials.
How can you tell good research from bad or biased research? ›
13 Ways to Tell Good Research from Bad
- Is this research peer reviewed? ...
- Is it published in a top-tier academic journal? ...
- Do other scholars trust this work? ...
- Who funded the research? ...
- What are the authors' credentials? ...
- How old is the study? ...
- Do the authors have a conflict of interest? ...
- What's the sample size?
Check the domain name
Generally, . edu and . gov websites are credible, but beware of sites that use these suffixes in an attempt to mislead. Nonprofit websites may also contain reliable information, but take some time to consider the organization's purpose and agenda to determine if it could be biased.
What determines a reliable source? ›
A credible or reliable source is one where you can trust the information that the source provides. You can rely on the information provided within the source because the person, publisher, or institution that is providing this information is a credible source for that information.
A credible source is one that is written by someone who is an expert in their discipline and is free of errors and bias. This guide explains the difference between credible, scholarly and peer-reviewed sources.
What are the traits of a good source? ›
To know if a source is reliable, a person needs to check its currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, and purpose. When the researcher uses each of these characteristics of reliability, they will be able to assess how reliable a piece of information they are using is.
How to differentiate a good source from a bad source? ›
Looking at an author's (or organization's) "about" page on their website can give you clues as to the values they represent, and how trustworthy they might be. Go to the source. When a news item quotes a person or cites a study, dig deeper. Look up that person or study—and evaluate the reliability of those sources too.
What makes a source credible? ›
The definition of a credible source can change depending on the discipline, but in general, for academic writing, a credible source is one that is unbiased and is backed up with evidence. When writing a research paper, always use and cite credible sources.
How to tell if a site is credible? ›
You can identify the author from the URL or from the copyright information. Check if the author is related to the topic or field that he or she is talking about. Check if the content is bias-free and does not promote any product or idea. Validate the accuracy of the information stated against other reliable sources.
What is a good source and what is a bad source? ›
Does the article or study have any authors listed? If so, do they cite or link to authoritative sources, or are they writing their own opinions without backing these up with facts? Are their credentials listed? Additionally, check the date of publication.
What are the four different types of sources? ›
Primary sources are original works, secondary sources are analyses of those original works, and tertiary sources are collections of secondary source information. Academic, scientific, and business professionals use all three types of sources, as appropriate.
How do you differentiate sources? ›
Basically, if you have more than one source by the same author, with the same publication year, you need to add letters a, b, c, d, etc. behind the year to help differentiate them from one another. The letters (a, b c....) are determined by the order of the sources on the reference page (alphabetically by title).
