Evaluating information for credibility is one of the steps of the research process. It is an extremely important skill that you can apply to all aspects of your life, not just your classes. At its heart, evaluating sources is thinking critically about the information you've found. It can help you avoid using misinformation or disinformation and keep you from only relying on sources that agree with your particular viewpoint. 

Evaluating sources is not a black-and-white process. This is partially due to differing contexts for using information. For example, it may not be appropriate to use social media posts when writing a paper about the science behind tectonic hazards. However, personal, real-world examples found on social media might be useful in a presentation on how earthquakes impact communities. Evaluating all information for credibility is highly recommended, regardless where you find it.

Don't assume that some formats or types of information are better than others. Even academic journal articles should be examined for authority and bias. Try to get sources from different perspectives. Don't be afraid of viewpoints that are opposed to how you see things; using them can help you to learn!

There are many different tools, checklists, and strategies to help you evaluate your sources. None of them are black-and-white checklists for determining if a source is credible and if you should use it. Remember, the goal is for you to think critically about the information you find, not to have you check boxes on a list.

Here are two different tools you may try using to help you get started with this important skill.

1. The Five Ws

Ask yourself these questions about each source you are considering. 

• WHO provides the information?
• WHAT information are the authors presenting? What makes it reliable?
• WHEN was the information published?
• WHERE did you find the information? Where could you apply it?
• WHY are the authors sharing this information?
• HOW do the authors prove their claims?

2. P.R.O.V.E.N.

Ellen Carey at Santa Barbara City College developed P.R.O.V.E.N. Source Evaluation. Consider these factors for each source.

• PURPOSE - Why was this source written (e.g., to inform, teach, entertain, persuade, etc.)?
• RELEVANCE - How important is the information to your needs?
• OBJECTIVITY - Is the information presented with the least possible bias?
• VERIFIABILITY - How reliable is the information? Does it provide evidence?
• EXPERTISE - Who are the authors and what are their credentials?
• NEWNESS -  When was the information published and is that important to know?

P.R.O.V.E.N. Source Evaluation by Ellen Carey is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.

A domain suffix is the ending of a URL. The most common are .com (commercial), .edu (educational), .org (organizations, mostly noncommercial entities), and .gov (U.S. government). You may have heard that domain suffixes alone are sufficient to determine whether a source is credible. For example, all .edu sites are acceptable. However, it is much more complicated than this. Regardless of the domain suffix, it is highly recommended to take the time to fully evaluate every source you find for credibility. You may wish to use one of the tools shared above.