Library Guides: FAQ: How do I know if my sources are credible/reliable? (2024)

FAQs

Library Guides: FAQ: How do I know if my sources are credible/reliable? ›

The credibility of a library book is linked to the credibility of the author. To know if a book can be trusted check out information about the author. This can be found at the back of the book. Check for the level of education and experience in the field of knowledge for which he writes.

The credibility of a library book is linked to the credibility of the author. To know if a book can be trusted check out information about the author. This can be found at the back of the book. Check for the level of education and experience in the field of knowledge for which he writes.

Libraries curate materials from trusted sources and vendors. If the material is on a shelf at the library, this typically means that the material has been vetted by professional librarians who know how to find quality materials.

Find Out What You Can about the Author

Finding the author's educational background and areas of expertise will help determine whether the author has experience in what they're writing about. You should also examine whether the author has other publications and if they are with well-known publishers or organizations.

It is important to be able to identify which sources are credible. This ability requires an understanding of depth, objectivity, currency, authority, and purpose. Whether or not your source is peer-reviewed, it is still a good idea to evaluate it based on these five factors.

What questions should be asked in determining whether a source is reliable? ›

Here are some questions to ask to determine if a source is credible: Who – Look for information created by an identifiable author or organization. Is there an author name? Are any credentials or background information available on the author – can you tell if the author is qualified to write about this topic?

Currency: Timeliness of the information. Relevance: Importance of the information for your needs. Authority: Source of the information.

Key Takeaways

Evaluate sources of information by examining them for authority, accuracy, objectivity, currency, and coverage.

The information should be up to date and current. The author and publication should be a trusted authority on the subject you are researching. The sources the author cited should be easy to find, clear, and unbiased. For a web source, the URL and layout should signify that it is trustworthy.

Materials that are published by an entity that may have an ulterior motive. Websites that do not have much information available. The purpose of the source is not informative, but to persuade. A website that is not regularly updated or the author is unreliable.

Is it published in a peer reviewed journal? You can type the name of the journal into any search engine and learn about the submission process to see if it is peer reviewed. Additionally, if you use the library search or a database to find articles, they will usually indicate if it is from a peer reviewed journal.

The foreword/preface/introduction and back cover of the book usually provide information on the author's credentials/areas of expertise, etc.