Why We Should Evaluate All Sources
How an individual reasons from evidence to claims to arguments is often influenced by both rational and emotional factors, elements of one’s identity, and values and belief systems. Only by keeping your personal biases in check can one truly begin to evaluate information for credibility.
Personal steps
Identify emotions attached to topic.
Find unbiased reference sources for proper review of topic. (Need a credible reference source? Try one from our trustworthy list of eResources: https://www.marshall.edu/library/research/e-reference-general/)
Intellectual courage to seek authoritative voices on topic that may be outside of thesis.
Source steps
Authority established. Does the author have education and experience in that field?
Purpose/Point of view of source. Does the author have an agenda beyond education or information?
Publisher? Does the publisher have an agenda?
List of sources (bibliography). Is the evidence sound?
Year of publication. Does the year of publication effect the information?