Evaluating Sources
Evaluating sources is the process of going through the research and determining what resources are the most useful and reliable for your project. When looking at resources, consider the following:
- Is this source peer-reviewed?
- Many academic articles have a strict peer-reviewed process where articles are evaluated by other professionals in the field before publication. Peer-reviewed resources are generally very reliable resources for an academic paper.
- Does this source have a reliable publisher?
- Websites and books provided by academic sources such as major universities and academic institutions as opposed to small independent organizations are a great choice.
- Is the author a reliable source for information on this topic?
- Review the author. Does the author have advanced degrees in the topic or are they a frequent researcher in the topic? This greatly enhances their reliability.
- Does the author provide citations?
- Check to see if the author provides additional academic resources to support their claims. This is a positive sign and may also become a great source for additional resources.
- Does this article provide a clear bias? Or does it inform?
- In general, try to avoid sources that seek to 'sell' you on a topic. While an article may advocate for a particular side, the tone should be informative and provide evidence of support, rather than provide an opinion.
- Does this article strengthen my understanding of the topic?
- Review the content to make sure that it strengthens your assignment and provides relevant information. Also seek resources that challenge the beliefs and information you already have.
- Is this article timely?
- Check the publication date to ensure that the article is up to date if necessary. For topics that need timely information, such as technology and healthcare, look for resources that have been published within the last 5 years.
Domains
Most URLs include a three-letter suffix (top-level domain) that defines their purpose, much like umassglobal.edu. Being aware of the domain can be a good starting point for evaluation.
| Suffix |
Meaning |
| .com |
Commercial Site - usually a profit-making entity. Many companies use their websites to advertise and sell products, as well as publish annual reports and other company information for their customers, stockholders, and potential investors on the internet. Some information may be available for a fee. Examine these sites carefully. |
| .edu |
Educational Institution - used for schools that are regionally accredited although there are some grandfathered sites that are not. Be sure to examine the site carefully since students or faculty members may publish personal pages. |
| .gov |
United States Government - restricted to government entities, such as U.S. federal government departments, programs, and agencies; state government entities and programs; and cities, counties, and parishes. These agencies use the internet to publish legislation, census information, weather data, tax forms, and many other documents. |
| .org |
Non-profit Organizations - sites hosted by recognizable, reputable entities, such as the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, or the World Health Organization. These often contain valuable information, but always make sure to check the credentials for the hosting entity and evaluate carefully for bias and accuracy. |
For much more on this topic, see the library's Evaluating Sources guide.
