How to Tell if a Source is Trustworthy
When you are doing research for a school project, paper, or even just trying to figure out what’s true online, not every source you find is reliable. Whether it’s a website, article, video, or book, you need to check if it is trustworthy. This guide will walk you through seven key criteria to evaluate any source, using examples and questions to make it fun and easy to understand. Think of it like being a detective—your job is to investigate the source and decide if it’s legit!
1. Currency: Is the Source Fresh or Stale?
What to Ask: Is this information up-to-date, or is it old news?
- When was it published? Check the publication date. A science article from 2005 might not have the latest discoveries about climate change, but a history book from the same year about the Civil War could still be useful.
- Has it been updated? Online sources like websites or Wikipedia pages often show a “last updated” date. Look for it!
- Are there newer versions? For books, check if there’s a newer edition with updated info, like a textbook with a new introduction or extra chapters.
- What has changed since it was published? For example, if you’re researching social media trends, an article from 2015 won’t know about TikTok’s rise.
- Are there reviews or responses? Look for what others have said about the source. A quick Google search like “review of [source title]” can show if experts agree or disagree with it.
Why It Matters for You: In science or tech, new discoveries happen fast, so older sources might be outdated. In history or literature, older sources can still be valuable if they’re well-researched. For example, a 2020 article about COVID-19 might not mention newer vaccines, so you’d need to check for updates.
Try This: Find a website about a topic you’re studying (like space exploration). Check the date it was published or last updated. Then, search for a newer article on the same topic. Did anything change?
2. Relevance: Does It Fit Your Project?
What to Ask: Does this source help answer your research question?
- Does it connect to your topic? If you’re writing about the effects of video games on teens, a source about gaming addiction is more relevant than one about game design.
- Does it cover the same people or ideas? If you’re researching Malala Yousafzai, a source about her speeches is great, but one about another activist might still offer useful ideas to compare.
- Is it broad or specific? A general overview (like an encyclopedia entry) is good for background, but a detailed study (like a journal article) might dig deeper into your topic.
- Does it match your needs? If you’re writing about 19th-century America, a source about modern politics won’t help much.
Why It Matters for You: You don’t want to waste time on sources that don’t fit your project. A relevant source saves you time and makes your work stronger. For example, if your history project is about World War II, a source about the Cold War might be interesting but not directly useful.
Try This: Pick a source you’re using for a school project. Write down one sentence explaining how it connects to your research question. If it doesn’t, find a better one!
3. Authority: Who’s Behind the Source?
What to Ask: Can you trust the person or group who made this?
- Who is the author? Look for their name. Are they an expert, like a scientist, historian, or teacher, or just someone sharing opinions?
- What is their background? Check if they have degrees, jobs, or experience in the topic. For example, a doctor writing about health is more trustworthy than a random blogger.
- What else have they written? Search their name online to see if they’re known for good work or if they’re controversial.
- Are they cited by others? If other experts mention their work, it’s a good sign they’re respected.
Why It Matters for You: Anyone can post online, but not everyone has the credentials, experience, or education to contribute to the scholarly conversation at a level that qualifies for your academic assignments. A YouTube video by a scientist with a PhD is more reliable than one by a random vlogger with no credentials.
Try This: Find an article or video about your topic. Google the author’s name to see if they’re an expert. Write down one fact about their background (like their job or education).
4. Accuracy: Is It Correct and Fair?
What to Ask: Can you trust the information to be true?
- Has it been fact checked? Look for peer-reviewed articles (checked by experts) or sources from trusted publishers like National Geographic or academic journals.
- Can you double-check it? See if other sources say the same thing. For example, if a website claims “eating carrots improves your eyesight,” check if science articles agree.
- Is the tone neutral? If the source sounds angry, biased, or pushy, it might not be objective. Look for facts, not opinions disguised as facts.
- Are there errors? Typos or bad grammar can be a red flag that the source isn’t professional.
Why It Matters for You: Wrong or biased info can mess up your project or make you look unreliable. For example, a blog claiming “vaccines don’t work” might sound convincing, but if it’s not backed by science, it’s not accurate.
Try This: Take a source you’re using and find one fact in it. Check that fact in another source (like a book or trusted website). Do they match?
5. Purpose: Why Was This Made?
What to Ask: What’s the goal of this source?
- Why was it created? Is it to inform (like a textbook), persuade (like an opinion piece), or sell something (like an ad)?
- Who is the audience? Is it for students, experts, or the general public? A source for kids might oversimplify things, while one for scholars might be too complex.
- Is it objective? Does it show both sides of an issue, or is it pushing one view? For example, a company selling energy drinks might downplay their health risks.
- Is there a hidden motive? Check if the author or publisher makes money from the source, like a website promoting a product.
Why It Matters for You: Knowing why a source exists helps you spot bias. A news article about climate change by an oil company might not tell the full story, while a study by a university is more likely to be neutral.
Try This: Look at a source you’re using. Is it trying to teach, persuade, or sell something? Write down one clue that shows its purpose (like an ad banner or the author’s tone).
6. Publication Format: Where Did It Come From?
What to Ask: Where and how was this source published?
- Where was it published? Was it in a respected place like a library book, academic journal, or trusted website (like .edu or .gov sites)?
- Is it peer-reviewed? Scholarly articles are checked by experts, making them more reliable than blog posts and websites.
- What is the medium? A YouTube video might be engaging but less reliable than a printed book. A tweet is quick but might lack depth.
- Who is the publisher? A university press or major news outlet (like BBC) is usually more trustworthy than a random website.
- Is it biased? Some publishers lean conservative or progressive, which can shape the info they share.
Why It Matters for You: The format tells you how seriously to take the source. A TikTok video about history might be fun but not as reliable as a book from your school library.
Try This: Find a source for your project. Is it a book, article, video, or website? Check the publisher or platform (such as YouTube or a journal). Does it seem trustworthy?
7. Documentation: Does It Back Up Its Claims?
What to Ask: Does the source prove its points?
- Does it cite sources? Look for footnotes, a bibliography, or links to other works. If it doesn’t cite anything, be skeptical.
- Are the cited sources reliable? Check if they’re from experts or trusted places, not just random websites.
- Does it use quotes fairly? Make sure the author isn’t twisting someone else’s words to fit their argument.
- Is it original? The source should give credit to other people’s ideas, not steal them.
Why It Matters for You: A source that doesn’t back up its claims is like a friend who says “trust me” without proof. For example, a website claiming “teens sleep less now” should show data from a study, not just say it.
Try This: Pick a source and find one fact it claims. Does it list a source for that fact (like a study or article)? If not, can you find another source to confirm it?
Bonus Tip: Read Laterally!
Avoid trusting one source. Check multiple sources to see if they agree. For example, if a website says “plastic pollution doubled in 2024,” search for other articles or studies to confirm it. Use Google, your school library, or trusted sites like .edu or .gov to cross-check. This is called lateral reading, and it is fact-checking in real time!
Example: Imagine you are researching whether social media affects mental health. You find a blog saying it is “terrible for teens.” Before you use it, check:
- When was it posted? (Currency)
- Does it talk about teen mental health specifically? (Relevance)
- Is the author a psychologist or just a blogger? (Authority)
- Does it cite studies, or is it just opinions? (Accuracy)
- Is it trying to sell a product or inform? (Purpose)
- Was it posted on a random blog or a trusted site? (Publication)
- Does it list sources you can check? (Documentation)
By answering these, you will know if the blog is worth using in your paper.
Your Turn: Practice Being a Source Detective!
Pick a topic you are studying (like climate change, a historical event, or a science concept). Find two sources about it—one online (like a website or video) and one offline (like a book or article from your library). Use the seven criteria above to evaluate each source. Write a short paragraph explaining which one is more reliable and why. Share it with a friend or teacher to see if they agree!
Why This Matters: Learning to spot trustworthy sources now will help you ace your projects, avoid spreading misinformation, and make smart decisions in life. Plus, it us a skill colleges and employers love!