5 Evaluating Sources Free Online FlashCards

Is a source simply trustworthy or untrustworthy?

Credibility depends on how well a source supports a particular claim and use; it is not a permanent label attached to an author or publisher.

How should you assess an author’s expertise?

Check the author’s relevant training or experience and whether the claim falls within their area of expertise. Expertise in one field does not qualify someone to make every kind of claim.

Does a familiar or established publisher guarantee accuracy?

A publisher’s identity provides context about the source, but it does not guarantee that the source is accurate.

What features help you inspect how a source reached its claims?

Look for evidence, citations, transparent methods, and relevant review or editing so you can inspect how the claims were reached.

What should you verify about a source’s citations?

Check whether the cited evidence actually supports the specific claim being made; a citation alone is not enough.

How can you check whether an important fact is corroborated?

Compare important facts with independent, reputable sources to see whether they are corroborated.

How does a source’s publication date affect its usefulness?

Current information is important for rapidly changing topics, while older sources may still be useful for historical or foundational questions.

What does peer review establish—and what does it not establish?

Peer review can strengthen confidence in scholarly work, but it does not make a study infallible or prove every conclusion correct.

What purposes might shape how a source presents information?

A source may aim to inform, persuade, sell, entertain, or advocate. Its purpose can shape how it presents information.

How might a source’s interests influence its content?

Funding, employment, organizational affiliation, and financial or political interests may influence what is studied, emphasized, or left out.

Does a conflict of interest prove a claim is false?

A conflict of interest is a reason to examine the evidence and methods carefully, not automatic proof that a claim is false.

What should you look for in a source’s treatment of its interests and limitations?

Notice whether a source discloses relevant interests and acknowledges limitations or competing evidence.