How do you find credible sources?
Credible sources are those that undergo peer-review (see the box on the right). The best way to find peer-reviewed sources is to use your school’s library website. There, you can search major databases, as well as the library catalog, for peer-reviewed journals, articles, and books. If you’re unsure about the differences between databases and journals, take a look at this writing and research guide.
Many databases and academic search engines, like Google Scholar, have filters to help you narrow your search results to only peer-reviewed works.
How do you know if a source is credible?
When you find a source that you’d like to use for your paper, take a few moments to evaluate its currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, and purpose (CRAAP). You can also use the six journalistic question words (who? what? where? when? why? and how?) to evaluate a work’s credibility.
How do you read a scholarly source?
The easiest way to approach a scholarly source is by breaking it down into its core components: abstract, introduction, evidence and analysis, and conclusion.
How to Read a Scholarly Article
This article breaks down the components of scholarly articles and features tips for reading them.
Peer review is the process by which experts evaluate works to ensure that they are credible, authoritative, and original. The practice also guarantees that important subject-specific standards are met.
What is peer review?
This article defines peer review and discusses source evaluation methods.
Who can help with conducting research?
If you're stuck with your research, ask your instructor for help or schedule a research consultation with a librarian.
How to Prepare for a Research Consultation with a Librarian
This article offers six tips for how to prepare for a meeting with a librarian.
