USU Libraries   Evaluating Sources Tutorial

Determining if an online source is reliable or not requires some investigating by digging through links on the website or doing separate Google searches. By learning how to evaluate websites, you can confidently use online sources to strengthen your own writings and avoid sources that are not credible.

WEBSITE EVALUATION

SCENARIO

April is researching ways to teach beneficial health practices to middle school students for a presentation in her health education class. She can use credible information from articles, books, and websites. 

Use the evaluation criteria to determine if the source below is relevant and credible for April's assignment and topic. 

Screenshot of article from Centers for Disease Control

WHO: Below the authors' names is a link to their affiliations, which you can confirm with a quick Google search. These authors have credentials and seem qualified to write on this topic. 

WHAT: The article argues the importance to educate adolescents about life-long health - while also providing relevant statistics to support the claim. This matches the topic you have been assigned. 

WHERE: Clicking on the title of the publication provides more information about its reliability and allows you to research more about potential bias associated with the source. The References provide you the opportunity to verify the information.

Screenshot of reference section

WHY: This article could be useful to April in her class presentation because it focuses specifically on how to teach good health practices to adolescents. 

CONCLUSION: This source is credible and matches April's assignment. 

TEST YOURSELF

Scenario: You are evaluating a website and want to learn more about the author's credentials. Where could you find more information? 

Google the author 

This is a great choice, but it's not your only option. 

Look for an "About" section 

This is a great choice... But what if there is no "About" section?

Look for a clickable link next to the author's name

This is a great choice... But what if there's no link? 

All of the above

Correct! All of these are great options for learning more about your author.