How do you assess source quality?

When you conduct research, you need to evaluate the quality of the sources you use. Source quality refers to how reliable, accurate, and credible the information is. Poor quality sources can undermine your arguments, mislead your readers, or contain errors and biases. How do you assess source quality? Here are some tips to help you.

1 Check the author

The first thing to look for is the author of the source. Who are they? What are their credentials, qualifications, and affiliations? Do they have expertise in the topic they are writing about? Are they reputable and respected in their field? Do they have any conflicts of interest or hidden agendas? You can usually find this information in the source itself, or by searching for the author's name online. If the source has no author, or the author is anonymous, unknown, or unqualified, be wary of its quality.

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2 Check the date

The next thing to check is the date of the source. When was it published or updated? Is it current and relevant to your topic? Does it reflect the latest research and developments in the field? Depending on your topic, you may need to use sources that are very recent, or you may be able to use sources that are older but still valid. If the source is outdated, obsolete, or superseded by newer sources, it may not be of high quality.

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3 Check the evidence

The third thing to check is the evidence that the source provides. What kind of data, facts, statistics, examples, or arguments does it use to support its claims? Are they valid, relevant, and sufficient? Are they based on sound research methods and sources? Are they cited and referenced properly? Are they consistent and logical? Are they free from errors, fallacies, or biases? You can usually find this information in the source itself, or by following the citations and references to the original sources. If the source lacks evidence, or uses poor quality evidence, it may not be trustworthy.

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Deeksha Gambhir Chopra

Dynamic Molecular Biologist | Collaborative Problem Solving| Technical WriterI Grant/Manuscript WritingI Project Management| Science Communicator | Lab Operations Management | Art Addict.
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Evidence is everything in my opinion. For instance, wellness blogs are dedicated to promoting holistic health and well-being. Several websites nowdays are publishing blog posts and making health benefit claims of spices, herbs and medicinal plants without proper research or reliable citations. Many bloggers only emphasize on the benefits of herbal medicines without stating side effects. As harmless as these articles may seem, even herbal medicines can be harmful. Precaution is advised when including plant based medicines in daily life since many of these medicines are not even FDA regulated.

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4 Check the purpose

The fourth thing to check is the purpose of the source. Why was it written or published? Who is the intended audience? What is the tone and style of the source? Is it informative, persuasive, entertaining, or educational? Is it objective, subjective, or balanced? Does it have a clear thesis or main point? Does it acknowledge different perspectives or counterarguments? You can usually find this information in the source itself, or by looking at the context and format of the source. If the source has a hidden or unclear purpose, or if it is biased or misleading, it may not be of good quality.

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5 Check the type

The fifth thing to check is the type of the source. What kind of source is it? Is it a primary source, a secondary source, or a tertiary source? Is it a scholarly source, a popular source, or a trade source? Is it a book, a journal article, a website, a blog post, a podcast, or a video? Each type of source has different characteristics, strengths, and limitations. You need to consider the type of source in relation to your research question, your purpose, and your audience. You also need to use a variety of sources to avoid relying on one type or perspective. If the source is not appropriate or relevant for your research, it may not be of high quality.

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6 Check the reviews

The sixth thing to check is the reviews of the source. What do other people say about it? How has it been received, evaluated, or critiqued by experts, peers, or readers? Has it been cited, quoted, or referenced by other sources? Has it been challenged, disputed, or refuted by other sources? You can usually find this information by searching for the source online, or by using databases, indexes, or tools that track citations and reviews. If the source has positive reviews, high citations, and strong reputation, it may be of high quality. If the source has negative reviews, low citations, and poor reputation, it may be of low quality.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Rana Tabbara

Reporter
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Check Bias and Objectivity: Consider the potential bias of the source. Does it present a balanced view or seem to have a specific agenda? In academic or scientific contexts, peer-reviewed articles are generally considered reliable as they undergo scrutiny by experts in the field. Moreover, cross-referencing the information with other reputable sources can help you see if the ideas align with the findings. Finally, well-written and clear sources often indicate a higher level of professionalism.

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Monika Wahi

Epidemiology & Biostatistics Consultant a/k/a Data Scientist | Exclusive and innovative solutions for data science challenges in public health, research and education
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Generally speaking, if you are using a data point in an analysis, you are intending it to measure something. Ask yourself: What is it intended to measure? And how well do you think it measures this? In my field of epidemiology, "tobacco use" can be measured many ways, and most of them are not very accurate. Taking data from a medical record about tobacco use, or any other behavior, can be very suspect, because most info like that doesn't make it into medical records accurately. That's why just considering the source is not enough - you have to consider the measurement, and how it is operationalized.

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How do you assess source quality?

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4

5

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1 Check the author

2 Check the date

3 Check the evidence

4 Check the purpose

5 Check the type

6 Check the reviews

7 Here’s what else to consider

Critical Thinking

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How do you assess source quality?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Check the author

2 Check the date

3 Check the evidence

4 Check the purpose

5 Check the type

6 Check the reviews

7 Here’s what else to consider

Critical Thinking

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