When you conduct library research, you need to evaluate the credibility of the sources you use. Credibility means how trustworthy, reliable, and authoritative a source is. Credible sources can enhance the quality and validity of your research, while unreliable sources can undermine it. Here are some steps you can follow to assess the credibility of your library research.
Different types of sources have different levels of credibility. For example, scholarly sources, such as peer-reviewed journals, books, and reports, are usually more credible than popular sources, such as magazines, newspapers, and websites. Scholarly sources are written by experts, based on original research, and reviewed by other experts before publication. Popular sources are written for a general audience, based on secondary or tertiary sources, and may not be verified or edited. You can use the library's databases and filters to find scholarly sources for your research.
1. Examine the author's credentials and expertise in the field. Academic affiliations, relevant degrees, and publication history enhance credibility. 2. Assess the credibility of the publication source. Peer-reviewed journals, reputable publishers, and academic presses often ensure rigorous editorial standards. 3. Consider the publication date to ensure the information is up-to-date. In rapidly evolving fields, recent sources are crucial, while historical context may warrant older materials. 4. Check the references cited in the research. A well-supported argument with citations reinforces credibility. 5. Scrutinize the research design and methodology. Methods, appropriate sample sizes, and statistical analyses enhance reliable findings.
Some ways to get started (Ha): Does your research encompass that which is divergent from your own view or bias? Have you considered information from various media sources? Do you have primary sources in sufficient quantity and with assured integrity such that you can be confident of the truth? Have you studied the bibliographic material to ascertain the breadth and depth of resources others have relied on and mined these resources as well? Do you believe that the product of your research will add the knowledge base of your subject? Did you examine the historical basis for the present state of your subject matter and the validity of printed text that may exist and retain relevance?
The author of a source is an important indicator of its credibility. You should look for the author's name, affiliation, education, and expertise on the topic. You can also check the author's reputation, publications, citations, and awards. You can use the library's databases, Google Scholar, or other online tools to find information about the author. If the author is unknown, anonymous, or lacks credentials, you should be cautious about using the source.
The publication date of a source can affect its credibility, depending on the topic and discipline of your research. Some topics, such as science, technology, and medicine, require more current sources, as new discoveries and developments can change the knowledge and practices in these fields. Other topics, such as history, literature, and philosophy, may not need the most recent sources, as older sources can provide historical context and perspectives. You should use the library's databases and filters to find sources that are relevant and up-to-date for your research.
This is becoming increasingly important as technological and scientific breakthroughs happen at a faster clip. They not only affect content in the STEM fields specifically, but how we live our lives as a whole. Are job searching best practices the same as 10 years ago? Is dating the same as 10 years ago? With the pace at which new legislation is enacted as a result of these breakthroughs, can a lawyer advise a client on law that is more than a year old?
The evidence and references of a source can show how credible and accurate it is. You should look for the sources that provide clear, specific, and relevant evidence to support their claims and arguments. The evidence should be based on facts, data, statistics, experiments, observations, or other reliable methods. The references should be cited properly and consistently, using a recognized citation style. You should also check the quality and credibility of the references, by following the same steps as above. You can use the library's databases and citation tools to find and evaluate sources that use evidence and references.
Reading laterally is the key to understanding a topic and preventing misinformation. Read the references, do they really say what the author claims? What are the opposing views? What are the other possibilities? Have you already made your mind up? Beware! We all have internal biases. Good research requires that you ensure you understand all the perspectives, ALL the evidence, not just what you agree with.
It’s not just about quantity of references, but the depth of treatment. A study or piece of case law may be cited many times, but it could be done in a critical fashion. Legal research databases will flag potentially negative treatment. When looking at a glossy infographic in a magazine, it’s helpful to think about why someone chose to present the data in that faction. The way a graph is scaled can make the impact of the study seem more compelling than the data actually is.
The bias and perspective of a source can influence its credibility and objectivity. Bias means a preference or prejudice for or against a certain point of view, while perspective means a way of looking at or interpreting a topic or issue. You should look for the sources that acknowledge their bias and perspective, and provide balanced and fair information and arguments. You should also be aware of your own bias and perspective, and seek out sources that challenge or complement them. You can use the library's databases and filters to find sources that cover different aspects and viewpoints of your research topic.
This is a hot topic because it is so subjective. Clearly biased content has its place when put in the context of being referenced as part of a perspective and not fact. The secondary effect of biased content is that it is engineered to elicit an emotional response. If a source evokes such a response in you, take a step back and ask yourself why. What is the author’s intent? To truly inform, or to call you to an action that may be unfit?
The purpose and audience of a source can affect its credibility and relevance. Purpose means the reason or goal for creating the source, while audience means the intended or expected readers or users of the source. You should look for the sources that have a clear and appropriate purpose and audience for your research. The purpose should be informative, educational, or persuasive, not misleading, deceptive, or sensational. The audience should be academic, professional, or informed, not casual, uninformed, or emotional. You can use the library's databases and filters to find sources that match the purpose and audience of your research.
Try to avoid articles written with AI. What is the real intention behind this article? There are elements of this article I absolutely disagree with, but I can't edit or influence it, I've been asked to lend my expertise, and to "like" it. Why? This article says to check the references are from credible sources. It doesn't seem to care if I read the references, check they are accurate! It also doesn't talk about how to evaluate the evidence using appraisal tools (such as the CASP checklists) which is a key skill. So why does this company want librarians to endorse it's article written with AI? Should you trust it?