Evaluating Sources_

EMPOWERING YOU WITH THE TOOLS FOR STUDY SUCCESS

AFTRS LIBRARY STUDY SESSIONS

Evaluating Sources

Evaluating sources is the process of checking that the information you find is:

WHAT IS IT?

• Credible
• Accurate
• Reliable
• Relevant
• Fits the purpose

The Test

• Currency
• Relevancy
• Authority
• Accuracy
• Purpose

Currency

1. When was the source published?
2. Has the source been recently published or updated?
3. What resources/ references have they used?
4. Could there be more recent information elsewhere?

Relevancy

1. Is there likely to be better information?
2. Is the source aimed at the correct audience?
3. Does the information directly relate to your topic/research question?
4. Is the information at an appropriate level?

Authority

1. Who is the author of the information? What qualifies them to write the information?
2. Where do they work?
3. Does the author have experience in the field?

Accuracy

1. Can the information be verified against other sources?
2. Can you find the original source? (if relevant)
3. Is the information well presented? Check for spelling and grammatical errors.
4. Are the conclusions representative of the data?

Purpose

1. Why has the source been written / created?
2. Can you identify bias? Did the author/creator of the source benefit from the information in the source?
3. Check if the information is correct, not an opinion or based on propaganda.

Examples of reliable sources

1. Peer reviewed articles
2. Scholarly books
3. Trade publications - written by industry practictioners
4. Newspaper articles
5. Industry websites

Examples of unreliable sources

1. Opinion pieces
2. Blogs
3. Wikipedia
4. Out of date sources (old publication dates)
5. Websites

Currency Source was published 1985. Does not appear to be updated recently. Relevancy The topic is narrow and doesn't relate directly to my topic. Authority The author, Judith Mayne has written extensively on the subject. Accuracy The source would likely be accurate. However, considering when it was written, there is likely more recent sources with updated information. PurposeThe purpose of the source is a review essay. This doesn't provide me with the information I am after.

Mayne, J. (1985). Feminist film theory and criticism. Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society, 11(1), 81-100.The Words to Say It (Les Mots pour le dire), follows a course shaped by issues that bear remarkable resemblance to those that have defined feminist film theory and criticism over the last decade.

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