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DEMONSTRATION ONLY: This demonstration presents an abbreviated version of the complete VPT course. Click 'Next' at the bottom of the screen or make a selection from the links on the left to begin. Not all links are available for the demo.
Recognize and Apply Appropriate Research Skills and Strategies
Credibility and Relevance of Sources
Whether or not a source is credible largely depends on its origin and author. Since anyone can create a website or self-publish a book, many sources seem accurate but actually are not. This is why it is important to know who the author is. Reputable publishers screen writers for their expertise and hire editors to fact-check the information presented in their works. The publisher’s professional reputation depends on the accuracy of this material, so established publishers take the necessary steps to make sure that it is well written and accurate. This is true of books, magazines and journals. Peer reviewed sources go one step further, having other experts in the field review content to evaluate its accuracy. Most academic journals fall into this category. Using sources found in subscription databases, like those available at schools and public libraries, is also an effective strategy for finding credible sources. Institutions subscribe to these databases because the sources are vetted and users can assume they are accurate.
There are other indications of the credibility with the source itself. For example, many types of resources include the sources that the author used. In print sources, a bibliography will indicate the types of material that formed the content, so researchers can assess the quality and level of these sources. Even web pages often have citations, so reviewing those can also indicate the merit of the material there. Considering the author’s professional experience is another way to establish the credibility of the source, and professional biographies are often included in the source or can be easily found with a basic Internet search. Reading the preface (when there is one) also gives some indication of the author’s background and purpose, as well as the intended audience. This information can assist researchers in evaluating how the source can be best used and the accuracy of the information contained within it.
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