Finding information is easier than ever; just Google it, right? But before you begin citing, it's essential to examine your sources more closely.
Evaluating sources helps you build strong, credible arguments. Even library materials should be checked to make sure they're the right fit for your work. One key part of this is spotting bias.
Bias is anything that skews information toward a particular viewpoint. You'll often find it in opinion pieces, like newspaper editorials. These can be useful for understanding perspectives, but they're not great for citing as facts. Bias can also manifest in research through the collection, interpretation, or even the researcher's assumptions of the data.
Recognizing bias helps you determine whether a source is trustworthy and how to utilize it effectively.
The CRAAP method is a quick and easy way to check if a source is trustworthy. It stands for currency, relevance, accuracy, authority, and purpose, which are five things to consider when deciding whether to use a source in your research.
Thinking of using a website in your research? Web sources can be excellent, but before you cite, ask yourself a few extra questions about the website using the SIFT method. The SIFT method is a strategy developed by digital literacy expert Mike Caulfield to evaluate online content for reliability and credibility. It stands for stop, investigate the source, find better coverage, and trace claims, quotes, and media to the original context.
This step is the simplest and serves as a reminder to consider the information before sharing or using it critically.
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Knowing the expertise and agenda of the source is critical to your interpretation of what they say.
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If you don't care about the source but want to verify the claim, you will want to research what other coverage is available on the same claim. For example, suppose the Diabetes Foundation claims that diabetes is rising in the United States. In that case, you will want to find a more reliable source or scan multiple sources to determine if there is consensus on this claim.
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Much of what we find on the internet lacks context. Tracing the claims back to their source can provide that context and provide insight into whether the information is accurate.
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Find and read sources listed in a bibliography.
Like this guide or have feedback on it? Let us know!
Have a question or need help?
If an article is from a peer-reviewed journal, that's a good indication that it has a high level of accuracy and authority. Check out our guide on locating peer-reviewed materials:
