What Makes a Source Credible?
Credibility is about trust. Can you trust that the person knows what they're talking about? Since no one knows everything, and mistakes happen, it's important to use more than one source to get accurate information. Credibility can be determined depending on
- The author's educational background
- Whether the author is publishing
- Who the target audience is
Reputable Sources
Are referred to as reliable sources. They rely on the reputation of their publication (ex. newspaper or journal) for having high standards of researching, fact-checking, accountability, and ethical reporting.
Ex. Wall Street Journal or New York Times
Credible Sources
Credible sources rely on the expertise of the author to know the topic completely. The author should have a higher degree (master's or doctorate) in the field they are writing.
Ex. A medical doctor writes about the importance of vaccinating children
Scholarly Sources
Scholarly sources are written by experts who have a higher degree in their field and are written for other experts to help them further their research and understanding. They often have a long references list at the end and are sometimes peer-reviewed.
Ex. A medical doctor writes about a study she conducted on overweight mice in an academic journal
Any doubts about the credibility of a source you've found? Ask a librarian!
