Evaluating Sources

You can quickly evaluate the source by asking yourself these questions. There are no right or wrong answers. The decision about whether to use a source is contextual and depends on the project.

• Where was it published/posted? (scholarly journal, website, news source, Generative AI)
• When was it published/posted? (current events, current scientific data, historical context, outdated)
• Who is the author/creator? (expert, scholar, government, journalist, advertiser/influencer, non-profit, corporation)
• Who is missing from the conversation (opposing viewpoints, subject experts, marginalized groups, global perspectives)
• What evidence does it present? (references - cited works, quotes, charts/graphs, methodology, original research, personal experience)
• Why does it exist? (research, educate, persuade, sell, entertain)
• Why do you need this information (academic assignment, work presentation, decision making, activism, share on social media)

Adapted from The Source and Beyond the Source by DePaul University Library, used under CC BY-NC 4.0. 7Ws: Source Evaluation Questions is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0 by Yuliya Lef.

• Evidence: Are the author's arguments supported by evidence (e.g. statistics, recent scientific findings, statistics, case studies, primary historical material, narratives)?
• Objectivity: Is the author's perspective even-handed or prejudicial? Is contrary data considered or is certain pertinent information ignored to prove the author's point?
• Persuasiveness: Which of the author's theses are most/least convincing?
• Value: Are the author's arguments and conclusions convincing? Does the work ultimately contribute in any significant way to an understanding of the subject?

Adapted from Write a Literature Review by UC Santa Cruz University Library, used under CC BY 3.0.