Evaluating Sources
Author Who is the author? What is the author’s educational background or experience? Is the book or article written on a topic in the author's area of expertise? Is the author associated with a reputable institution or organization? Date of Publication When was the source published? On Web pages the revision date is usually at the bottom of the home page. Is the source current or out-of-date for your topic?
Publisher The publisher is sometimes an indication of the content. On websites this is the associated institution. Title of Source Is this a title that is usually associated with the topic you are researching? Body of the Work Look at the table of contents and index to get an idea of the information covered. Look for a bibliography. A bibliography is an indication that the author has done appropriate research. Is the information covered fact, opinion, or propaganda? Does the information appear to be valid, well-researched, and supported by evidence? Is the material primary or secondary in nature?