Evaluating and citing sources:
Even though you retrieve almost all your sources using the Internet, they still come
from different types of publications, including scholarly journals you access online
through a database, reputable news sources that have an Internet outlet, or web
pages that do not have much credibility. It is important to note what type of
publication you are reading, who wrote it, and whether or not it is credible for your
paper. Use the following criteria to note if a source is scholarly, reputable, or unfit for
your purposes.
Using a scholarly source:
What is a “scholarly source”?
Scholarly sources are written by and for people who study and teach a particular
topic. From Cornell Univ. Library: “Scholarly journals are also called academic,
peer-reviewed, or refereed journals. Strictly speaking, peer-reviewed (also called
refereed) journals refer only to those scholarly journals that submit articles to
several other scholars, experts, or academics (peers) in the field for review and
comment. These reviewers must agree that the article represents properly
conducted original research or writing before it can be published. “
Here is a chart to help you sort out what constitutes scholarly vs. non-scholarly
sources:http://www.stchas.edu/library/scholar.shtml
Substantive Sources:
If a source is not “scholarly” it may still come form a substantive news source which
you can trust to provide accurate information. However, you must evaluate any
source to identify if it is substantive or suitable:
Use the following guidelines to assess whether or not a source is substantive or
suitable.
 Credibility: trustworthy source, author’s credentials, evidence of quality
control, known or respected authority, organizational support. Goal: an
authoritative source, a source that supplies some good evidence
 Accuracy: up to date, factual, detailed, exact, comprehensive, audience and
purpose reflect intentions of completeness and accuracy. Goal: a source that
is correct today (not yesterday)
 Reasonableness: Fair, balanced, objective, reasoned, no conflict of interest,
absence of fallacies or slanted tone. Goal: a source that engages the subject
thoughtfully and reasonably, concerned with the truth.
 Support: listed sources, contact information, available corroboration, claims
supported, documentation supplied. Goal: a source that provides convincing
evidence for the claims made, a source you can triangulate (find at least two
other sources that support it).
Websites. (from http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/instruct/guides/evaluation.html) The Web provides unique
challenges in determining a website's appropriateness as an information source. In evaluating a website,
these are some questions that you can ask yourself:
• Is there an author of the document? Can you determine the producer's credentials? If you cannot
determine the author of the site, then think twice about using it as a resource. Note: If you don’t
know who the author is and this source isn’t a recognizably substantive news source (i.e. The New
York Times, The Economist) don’t use this.
• Is the site sponsored by a group or organization? If it is sponsored by a group or company, does the
group advocate a certain philosophy? Try to find and read "About Us" or similar information.
• Is there any bias evident in the site? Is the site trying to sell you a product? Ask why the page was put on
the web?
• Is there a date on the website? Is it sufficiently up-to-date? If there is no date, again, think twice about
using it. Undated factual or statistical information should never be used.
• How credible and authentic are the links to other resources? Are the links evaluated or annotated in any
way?
Exercise: Identify the following sources as either “Scholarly” “Substantive” or
“Not suitable”
Sparknotes.com (accessed via the Web)
Not Suitable
Journal of the Study of Modern Fiction (Accessed via QC library Database) Scholarly
Wikipedia (accessed via the Web) Not Suitable
The New York Times (Accessed via QC library Database) Substantive
An article from an edited book collection entitled Poetry and Human Rights
(description: collects essays written by college professors published by SUNY
University press, with footnotes) Scholarly
A nonfiction book called Arguing with Idiots: How to Stop Small Minds and Big
Government by Glenn Beck, a pundit for Fox News. The book is published by
Threshold Editions, and does not feature an Index or bibliography. Not Suitable
A nonfiction book entitled Memory History Forgetting by philosopher Paul Ricouer
published by University of Chicago Press, which looks at history through the lens of
Memory Studies Scholarly
http://www.online-literature.com/ (Online literature database called “The
Literature Network accessed via the Web; you don’t know who the
author/publisher is) Not Suitable
Evaluate the following webpage for credibility/suitability:
About This Site
ScienceDaily is one of the Internet’s most popular science news web sites. Since
starting in 1995, the award-winning site has earned the loyalty of students,
researchers, healthcare professionals, government agencies, educators and the
general public around the world. Now with more than 3 million monthly visitors,
ScienceDaily generates nearly 15 million page views a month and is steadily
growing in its global audience.
How to cite this article in APA format:
Cell Press (2006, July 11). Sleep Strengthens Memories And Makes Them
Resistant To Interfering Information. ScienceDaily. Retrieved May 1, 2011,
from http://www.sciencedaily.com- /releases/2006/07/060711095912.htm