Business Librarian
What Makes a Good Source?
There is no such thing as a good source. There are only sources that are good for your research.
Evaluating sources for your research and in your day-to-day life starts with how you plan to use it. Will you...
- cite it as reputable, factual information, or
- critique it as an example of bias or incorrect information?
If your answer to this question is neither, that is an easy way to determine that the source isn't good for your research!
The 5 Ws
There are many ways to evaluate information, many of which address the 5 W's: Who, What, When, Where, and Why
- Who is behind the information? Who is the author, who is the publisher, and what are their qualifications and affiliations?
- What kind of information is provided? Is the information relevant to your topic and intended to be used in your context?
- When was it written? Is the information current enough for your research or tasks?
- Where does its content and data come from? Are references and citations provided, and are the sources of evidence appropriate?
- Why was it created? Is it intended to inform, sell, or persuade, and is the intent clear?
And a then: What do other sources say?
SIFT (The Four Moves)
SIFT, also known as “The Four Moves”, is a 4-step task list for evaluating information on the internet. It is a quick tool for evaluating news and information you find on the open web. The ‘four moves’ of SIFT are:
- Stop: Don't cite or share information until you know what it is. Period.
- Investigate: This is the 30 second gut check. Before you even click on something, hover over it to see if it's what you think it is.
- Find : Cross-check the information by seeking additional sources about it.
- Trace: Check the date, check the source - what is the original context of a quote, a video, or a photo?
Image Source: https://hapgood.us/2019/06/19/sift-the-four-moves/
Evaluate Your Sources with SIFT
Try out one of these guides to use SIFT on your own:
