What are the considerations involved in evaluating the credibility of sources

There are many criteria that can be used to determine whether or not information from a source is credible. Some of the most important criteria are listed below. A handy tool to verify the accuracy and credibility of resources is the PROVEN source evaluation process.

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What are two primary considerations when evaluating sources?
What are the 5 main criteria when evaluating sources?
What are the 4 main criteria when evaluating resources?

Authority

Does the author or agency that created the information have the credentials, academic background, or experience to write authoritatively about the topic?
- Authors:
  - Google their name(s)...do they have a degree related to the topic they are addressing?
  - Watch out for people with degrees (MA, MS, PhD) in a field unrelated to what they are writing about. A PhD in English does not qualify someone to give medical advice, for instance.
- Agencies:

Bias

Is there a reason to believe that the information provided by the author/agency is slanted or designed to persuade the reader? Maybe it only presents part of the whole story?
- It is acceptable to use biased information as long as you understand it is biased and you acknowledge that in your paper.
- If you use a biased source, it is a good idea to find opposing information.
- To find sources on different sides of an issue (pro and con, opposing viewpoints, compare-contrast), see our Comparison Contrast FAQ.
Be aware of your own biases as you consume and use information.
- Do your personal opinions change the way you interpret information?
- Are you open to points of view that are different than your own?
- Do you choose only sources of information that reflect your personal point of view?

Currency

What is the date of the source? In the case of a website, is there a last-updated date?
Does the date matter?
- Information in some areas and disciplines changes all the time and/or needs to be up-to-date. For example:
  - Would you want information about cancer treatments from 1980? No!
  - Would you want information about Shakespeare from 1980? Maybe, as Shakespeare's works will not have changed with time.

Care Taken / Indicators of Quality

Are claims made by the source backed up with documented and cited sources?
- Can you get to the sources if they are online?
- Are the sources of high quality?
- Are the sources balanced or biased?
- Do the sources really cover what they are supposed to?
Review for correct spelling, grammar, and mechanics. A quality resource will have been carefully reviewed and edited.
Verify the credibility of the publisher

Watch the video below for additional information for evaluating websites.

Whether you’re covering the news or reading/watching/hearing it, the credibility of your sources is key to evaluating the information. Do you trust the sources? Are there enough sources? Enough knowledgeable sources? Are all the questions answered? Is the news credible enough?

Here are questions you should ask in evaluating the sources used in information you read, see and hear:

Who is the source of this information? Is that clear to the audience, or might the source simply be the person reporting the news?
What would this source know? Does he or she have training in the area? A job title that would indicate knowledge?
When did the source get this knowledge? Recently? So long ago that situations might have changed?
Where did the source get this knowledge? Does he or she have a degree in this field? Training? Work experience? Was the source involved first-hand? If so, does this make his or her views more credible … or less?
Why use this source? Does he or she have the necessary expertise to be trustworthy? Does this fill in a gap in the audience’s understanding?
How transparent is the reporting? Can the audience determine the sources of information and why they are good choices?
How does this source know this information? Could I confirm the source’s information through government records, other documents, further reporting or other sources?
What is the past reliability and reputation of this source?
What is the source’s motive for providing the information? What does this source have to gain or lose? Will this information make the source look better, worse, guilty or innocent?

Taken from Sources, Verification and Credibility, a self-directed course at Poynter NewsU.

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Tags: Coffee Break Course, news literacy, Verification

Vicki Krueger

Vicki Krueger has worked with The Poynter Institute for more than 20 years in roles from editor to director of interactive learning and her current…

Vicki Krueger