Reliable sources are always written by well-known and respected authors. These sources are always properly and accurately referenced. Therefore, when checking the source’s credibility you can find more information for your own research. 2. When was the material published? Generally, books published in 1990s contain outdated information. Hence.
The definition of a credible source can change depending on the discipline, but in general, for academic writing, a credible source is one that is unbiased and is backed up with evidence. When writing a research paper, always use and cite credible sources. Use this checklist to determine if an article is credible or not.
Credible sources are written by authors respected in their fields of study. Responsible, credible authors will cite their sources so that you can check the accuracy of and support for what they've written. (This is also a good way to find more sources for your own research.) How recent is the source?
For some papers or projects it may be important to view the original object but for others a primary source that has been scanned and is online is acceptable. History, Humanities, Social Sciences Primary sources in these disciplines are original records created at the time historical events occurred or well after events in the form of memoirs and oral histories.
If you're lucky enough to be near an institution or organization designed for the study or preservation of something, and that something is the topic of your research paper, you've hit pay dirt. Zoos, marinas, conservation centers, hatcheries, historical societies, parks, all of these are valuable sources of information for you.
Sources that are blatantly one-sided are unlikely to be academic. Who is the target audience? Consider the style of the writing, the presence of advertising, and where you found the source (Massey Library has a more comprehensive selection of academic sources than public libraries, for example). It can help to consider the purpose of the source.
Also, ask a reference librarian to assist you in locating more difficult-to-find sources that may be stored on microfiche, at another library or in archives, for example. After you have identified a specific research question, the next step in your research project is to identify relevant data sources.
Source material based solely on opinion: While material that conveys opinions and beliefs may have some validity, reliable sources that back up the opinion or belief with facts and trustworthy information should also be sought. If the opinion piece does not include data from reliable sources, a writer may choose not to include it as a source.
Inaccurate, questionable, or out-of-date sources can undermine your ideas and cause the reader to question your authority on your topic. Relevant and informed sources can help you to support and prove your thesis and persuade your audience, so evaluating and selecting sources carefully is an important part of writing a strong, convincing paper.