Evaluating Source Credibility

Why is it important to evaluate the credibility of sources?

• A. Credible sources will provide the support to produce high-quality and convincing arguments

• B. It's only important if the source is current

• C. Unreliable sources will make arguments less persuasive

• A and C

Although primary sources are most commonly preferred, both primary and secondary sources are useful for different cases.

• True

• False

What should be considered when evaluating the author of a source?

• The author's credentials (experience in the field or at a university)

• If the author has written about the topic somewhere else

• The types of organizations, research-based or commerical-based, in which the author may be associated

• All of the above

What should be considered when evaluating the credibility of print sources?

• If the cover looks academic

• Who published the source

• If there is more than one author

• All of the above

Figuring out why the information was written will help learners decide if it is credible or not.

• True

• False

What should be considered when evaluating the perspective of a source?

• A. The author's point of view

• B. If the writing seems biased or unbiased

• C. The author's age

• A and B

Reviewing the domain of a digital source does not impact whether or not it is credible.

• True

• False

What should be considered to help determine if a source is scholarly?

• If it's peer-reviewed

• If it's published in a journal

• If it's supported by evidence

• All of the above

Does it matter if a source is current (up-to-date) or not?

• No, every source is important

• No, the publishing date does not interfere with credibility

• Yes, with some exceptions to important pieces of writing

• None of the above

It's important to review any information about sources in the assignment instructions provided for you when evaluating source credibility.

• True

• False