English 1002: Evaluating Research Sources
Who-authored the source? What clues are there that this author is or isn't an authority in this particular area?
When-was the information published? Is it still relevant to your argument?
What-type of information does the source provide? How might it be relevant to the essay?
Where-is this information coming from? What clues demonstrate the source's reliability or lack thereof?
Why-is this info being presented? Does it aim to inform, persuade, entertain, sell??? What bearing does this purpose have on the source's reliability and relevance?
How-is the info being presented? Does it seem biased in any way, and if so, how does this affect your understanding of the relevance and reliability of this source?