Use the criteria below to help you evaluate a source. As you do, remember:
Each criterion should be considered in the context of your topic or information need. For example, currency matters differently if you are working on a current event vs. a historical topic.
Weigh all the criteria when making your decision. For example, the information may appear accurate, but if the authority is suspect you may want to find a more authoritative source for your information.
When in doubt about a source, talk about it with your professor or a librarian.
Criteria to consider:
After you have decided that a source is potentially useful, read it carefully and critically, asking yourself the following questions about how this research fits your project:
Adapted from Easy Writer (4th ed.)