Writing 120L: Writin' is Fightin'

When you encounter any kind of source, consider:

1. Authority - Who is the author? What is their point of view? 
2. Purpose - Why was the source created? Who is the intended audience?
3. Publication & format - Where was it published? In what medium?
4. Relevance - How is it relevant to your research? What is its scope?
5. Date of publication - When was it written? Has it been updated?
6. Documentation - Did they cite their sources? Who did they cite?

From Evaluating Resources at University of California, Berkeley.

Examine your source based on the following information and decide if it's credible. Remember that a credible web source isn't necessarily appropriate to use in college work. Talk to Rebecca or your instructor if you're not sure. 

Currency: How recent is the source? Is the data still accurate? 
Relevance: Does the source relate to your topic? Is it for the right audience (i.e., college students, adults, etc.)
Authority: Who is the author? What are their credentials? Do they seem biased? Are they selling something--literally or figuratively)?
Accuracy: Is the data real? Do other sources have the same conclusions? Can you trace the claims to a reliable source?
Purpose: What is the author trying to do or make you do? Are they stating facts, opinions, or both? What are they biased toward or against?