Where to get reliable sources

Consider the author's credentials and affiliations during your search for sources, are they associated with a certain special interest group or another biased source of funding?

Unless the author is analyzing their own data, their information came from somewhere. Beware if the author doesn't list academic sources. Always review the type of sources listed and make sure they stand up to scrutiny. Nowadays, due to the speed at which technology moves, information and reliable sites go out-of-date quickly. Make sure that your source is still relevant and applicable and comes from a trustworthy author. You can read reviews of books printed or on the websites of online book retailers.

You can find reviews of larger reputable websites. Some smaller sources, like journal articles, might not have reviews readily available, but you can check if the authors are authoritative sources in their field. Large publishers or reputable magazines and journals will thoroughly check the facts of the information they are distributing, which makes these sources pretty safe.

This is especially true if the source in question comes from peer-reviewed journals or other scholarly databases. Some of the other source-evaluation methods you can use include investigating the types of sources the author decided to use.

Credible journal articles will have more source credibility than personal blogs, for example. This is because journal articles are created by academics that hold the proper credentials and have to make use of reputable sources in order to get through peer-review. Pieces that are public opinion or opinion pieces do not hold up to the same standard as academic writing. Even news articles can be biased sources; in the past few years, fake news has become widespread in online search engines.

Web Domains in Scholarly Research Where does your source come from? However, beware of political sites used to sway public opinion. Use these sites with caution, checking for credibility and authority. These sites are great for information about a particular company. However be aware that company websites are used to promote, so be sure the information is non-biased. Truth in the News The Center for News Literacy makes the case for being smart consumers of online news.

Evaluate sources Does the website have an "About Us" section? Does it disclose a source of funding? Knowing this information enables you to judge the website's purpose and viewpoint. Citations and evidence Is information cited so that you can track down the source and verify it? What evidence is used to prove the author's point? Is the evidence reliable, and is it used logically?

For more tips , see the sections above. Beware of: Websites that contain the suffix "lo" e. These often present false information for satirical or other purposes. Websites that urge you to dox an individual or organization Websites that have amateurish design, use ALL CAPS, and try to play on your emotions Those are often signs that information is not trustworthy and that you should research it further via other sources Memes making the rounds on Facebook or other social media sites Try googling the topic of a meme or other doubtful story: if it is a legitimate news story, you'll probably find it covered by an established source like a major newspaper or TV news channel Clickbait Sensationalist headlines and odd photos whose purpose is not to publish legitimate news but to increase traffic at a website Burst your filter bubble Web browsers and social media sites employ algorithms that feed you information you've shown a preference for.

When conducting research for class or simply making up your mind on an issue, try these strategies: Seek credible information from both sides of an issue : conservative and liberal; religious and atheist; industrialized and developing nations; etc. That solution is offered by Eli Pariser, who wrote a book and did a Ted talk on filter bubbles. Look for tabs called "resources," "publications," or "research. Websites are great resources because:. Below is a list of websites to get you started.

Keep in mind it is not a definitive list, so use your Google search tips to find additional credible websites. This infographic is from WhoIsHostingThis. It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older. This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results.

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