ENGL 1001: The Dying of the Light

Click on the image above to view the Evaluating Sources for Credibility video from North Carolina State University Libraries.

Popular Articles [Magazines]

• Are often written by journalist or professional writers for a general audience
• Use language easily understood by general readers
• Includes few, if any, citations for sources
• Tend to be shorter (1-5 pages)

Scholarly Journal Articles

• Written by and for scholars, faculty, and researchers
• Uses technical or scholarly language
• Tend to be longer articles (10-30 pages) about research
• Includes a lengthy list of references
• Are often refereed or peer-reviewed [articles are critically reviewed by scholars/experts in the field before being accepted for publication]
• Book reviews and editorials are not considered scholarly, even when found in a scholarly journal

*Both magazine and scholarly journal articles can be good sources for your work, depending on your purpose and your assignment

Authority - Author's Level of Expertise

• Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
• Is the author qualified to write on the topic?
• What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?

Bias - Author's Point of View

• Is the information fact, opinion, or propaganda?
• What is the purpose of the information?  Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain, or persuade?
• Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
• Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?
• Is the information backed by research?  Is a list of references provided?

Currency - Date of Publication

• When was the information published or posted?
• Has the information been revised or updated?
• Does your topic require current information, or will older information work as well?

And.... Relevance

• Is the source appropriate for your purposes [in this case, does the source meet the requirements of your assignment]?
• Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
• Is the information at an appropriate level [i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs]?