This presentation provides guidelines for find credible sources. It focuses selection of sources according to up-to-date information, author, research-based information, and authoritative information. It also focuses on dealing with ambiguity when sources could be credible but do not provide data that can be cited and referenced.

1. FINDING SOURCES
Trustworthy or Shady?

2. Information Always Changes
Up-To-Date

3. Up-To-Date
 Some topics—like science, technology,
or medicine—are always changing.
New information is discovered
that contradicts previous beliefs.
 Look for articles that are no more
than seven years old (i.e., 2010 – 2017).

4. Not Every Text Has an Author
An Obvious Author

5. An Obvious Author
 Use sources that clearly identify the author.
 Use sources with authors who have written
many books or articles.
 Use sources with authors who have degrees
and credentials, who are experts in their field,
and who have been cited in other works.

6. An Obvious Author
 In some cases, an online source may decide not to
provide the name of an author. These sources may
provide false or faulty information that cannot be trusted.
 However, they may just be sources which are obligated
by their employer to remain anonymous. These sources
might be trustworthy.
 Use your best judgment.

7. Information That Has Been Proven
Research-Based Information

8. Research-Based Information
 Look for sources that cite the sources it relies
upon to support its arguments.
 Look for sources that provide
facts and statistics.
 Look for sources that analyze both sides
of an argument.

9. Research-Based Information
 Do not use blogs, vlogs,
or other personal websites.
 Do not use social media websites.

10. Respected More Than Others
Authoritative Information

11. Authoritative Information
 Look for information provided
by government agencies.
 Look for information provided
by journalists from established newspapers.
 Look to information provided
by think tanks and leading institutions.

12. Authoritative Information
 Look for a website address
with .org, .edu., or .gov at the end.
 Avoid information provided by institutions
which specialize in debunked fields of
research.
 For example: Association for Research and
Enlightenment in Virginia Beach, Virginia (USA).

13. Authoritative Information
 Except for respectable online newspapers,
avoid websites with too many advertisements.
 Avoid websites that directly sell products,
unless you are researching
a manufacturer or retailer.
 Avoid advertorials, advertisements
that are written to look like editorials.

14. Credible or Shady?

15. Credible or Shady?

16. Credible or Shady?

17. References
 Amelia Earhart. (n. d.).Wikipedia. Retrieved on November 14,
2017 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amelia_Earhart
 Asplin, W., Jacobe, M. F., & Kennedy, A. S. (2016).
Comparison and contrast essays. In Final Draft 4 (pp 111-142).
Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press.
 Coates, S. (2011, April 29). Finding credible sources.
Oklahoma State University. Retrieved from
https://sites.google.com/site/evaluatingsourcecredibility/home

18. References
 Sheffield, G. (2011, May 10). The first battle of the Atlantic.
British Broadcasting Corporation [BBC]. Retrieved from
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/
battle_atlantic_ww1_01.shtml
 Zapato, L. (n. d.). Help save the endangered
Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus from extinction!
Wild Haggis Conservation Society. Retrieved from
http://zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/

19. Citation
 Eggum, R. (2017, September 18).
Finding sources: Trustworthy or shady? [PowerPoint].
Washington, DC: Mentora College, ESL 204 PM – Academic
Writing.