There are three different methods you can use to determine the credibility of a source; I recommend using elements of all three:

1. THE 5 “W” Questions
   • WHO is the author? Is she/he an authority or affiliated with a college, university, or organization?
   • WHAT is the purpose of the content/source (accuracy)?
   • WHERE is the content from (publisher, type of website)?
   • WHY does the source exist?
   • WHAT’S WHAT? (How does this source compare to others?)
2. SMART Check
   • SOURCE: Who or what is the source? How do you know?
   • MOTIVE: Why do they say what they do?
   • AUTHORITY: Who wrote/published/edited the source?
   • REVIEW: Are there citations for claims? Does anything stand out as possibly being untrue or unverified?
   • TWO-SOURCE TEST: How does the source compare to a similar source?
3. CRAAP TEST
   • CURRENCY: Is the information the most recent available?
   • RELEVANCE: Is the information essential to support your thesis?
   • AUTHORITY: Is the author affiliated with a university, college, or professional organization?
   • ACCURACY: Is the information truthful and correct?
   • PURPOSE: Why does this information or source exist?

BELOW is another helpful guide to assist you in determining the credibility and appropriateness of your sources.

BELOW is a quick video to help you determine the credibility of your sources:

…BUT HOW DO I KNOW IF MY SOURCE IS APPROPRIATE?

Your sources should include a mixture of primary and secondary sources and may consist of well-respected reference works. Avoid wikis, as they are generally prone to errors and are not considered reliable scholarly sources.

In most cases, your sources should CENTER around

1. scholarly journal articles

2. scholarly/theoretical books written by professionals/experts in the field of interest

3. websites and/or web articles published by a reputable, professional organization

4. respected interviews, professional communications, and credible audio/visual works.

*When in doubt, also check the publisher of the material you plan to use.

*Does the publisher have a history of publishing high-quality, scholarly material?

*IN ANY CASE, THE SOURCES YOU USE SHOULD EITHER CLEARLY EXPLAIN CONCEPTS/THEORIES IN YOUR PAPER AND/OR SUPPORT YOUR THESIS.