CARS
Credibility
Accuracy
Reasonableness
Support
© 2007, Robert Harris & Andrew Spinks Objectivity
More Information About Evaluating Sources
- Is there a publishing or sponsoring organization? Is the organization an authority on the subject?
- Is the author listed? Is the author an authority on the subject? How do you know?
- Are there spelling errors, grammar errors, dead links, or other problems that indicate a lack of quality control?
Accuracy
- Does the information on the site agree with other sources?
- Does the site contradict itself?
- What is the date of publication or copyright?
- How recently has the site been updated?
Reasonableness
- Does the author, host, publisher, or sponsor have a bias?
- What is the motivation or purpose for creating the site? (To sell a product? To advance a viewpoint or belief? To educate?)
Support
- Are the sources listed? Can they be checked?
- Is there a way to contact the author or organization?
© 2007, Robert Harris & Andrew Spinks Objectivity
More Information About Evaluating Sources
- Critically Analyzing Information Sources (Cornell University Library)
- Critical Evaluation of Information Sources (University of Oregon Libraries)
- Is it Peer-Reviewed? (UT-Austin Libraries)
Scholarly vs. Popular Periodicals
- Scholarly vs. Popular Articles (Wittenberg University's Thomas Library)
- Popular vs. Scholarly Articles - Guide (The University of Arizona Libraries)
- Scholarly vs. Popular Periodicals VIDEO (Vanderbilt University)