Q. How can I tell if a source is good for my research project?

There are three things to think about when you're evaluating a source:

1. CREDIBILITY - is this source worth anyone's time to read?
2. RELEVANCE - is this a good fit for my research project?
3. READABILITY - is this right for me now, or do I need more background info first?

A credible or reliable source is one that you trust to be reporting information in "good faith" which means to the best of their knowledge it is accurate, up to date, and true. (It does not mean they are superhumans who never make an honest mistake.)

There is no simple trick to deciding which sources are reliable or not, but there are some important questions that every good reader asks about every source s/he considers using:

• WHO wrote this, and what institution published it?
• What kind of knowledge or experience do they have about this topic?
• What is their point of view? (All humans and institutions have a point of view; there is no such thing as 100% objectivity)
• Why did they write it?
• How are they trying to persuade their readers of their argument? Are their assumptions and reasoning fair?
• What kind of evidence do they use, and where is it from?

Learn more about what questions to ask yourself in our Research 101 guide.