Prof. Rodas guides new researchers through a step-by-step practice for evaluating the reliability of a source (in this case a chapter from Isabel Wilkerson's Caste).

1. PRACTICE:
Is this source reliable?
credibility & fact-checking
Julia Miele Rodas, Ph.D.
Bronx Community College
Fall 2021

2. #1:
Find ONE reference from the Isabel Wilkerson reading

3. The name of a specific expert

4. A specific quotation, words from one of
Wilkerson’s sources

5. Description of an event or a historical
reference

6. #2:
Check to see if the information is factual (🔥hot tip: Google is your friend!)

7. Can you verify the
credentials of the
expert?
Can you find the
source of the
quotation? Is it quoted
accurately?
Can you verify that the
event happened? Is it
accurately described?

8. Who
qualifies as
an expert?
LOOK FOR EVIDENCE
 associated with trustworthy organization(s)?
 publications with respected presses?
 educated in their field?
 widely cited?

9. Is the
research
and writing
careful?
LOOK FOR EVIDENCE
 quotations and facts are verifiable?
 quotes reputable sources?
 quotations and facts are accurate?
 quotations are not taken out of context?

10. #3:
YOU DECIDE!
Do you trust Wilkerson’s research and writing? Is what she shares truthful, expert,
and accurate?