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Public Speaking - Takahashi: Evaluate your Sources

This guide is designed to help students prepare for their informative and persuasive speeches.

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Use the tools on this page to evaluate your sources. 

A checklist based on the CRAAP test to evaluate sources

Checklist on ClipboardSo, you found a fair few sources for your assignment.

Perhaps you gathered them from searching GALILEO, the individual research databases, GIL-Find catalog, and/or the web. 

But how do you decide which sources are worth including in your assignment?

Just because the source comes from a library, or from an official-looking website, doesn't mean it's necessarily suitable for your assignment.

Follow this checklist based on the CRAAP test to guide you. 

 

Before all else --

Most assignments where you need to cite sources have a "source requirement" listed. If you cannot find one, check with your professor.

For example, you need to cite at least x number of:

  • Journal articles - may or may not include articles from academic journals and trade publications (professional journals). Check with your professor if trade publications are acceptable.
  • Peer-reviewed articles - articles are 'peer-reviewed', meaning that they have been reviewed by another expert in the field before being accepted for publication.
  • Primary sources - an original source, eg. a photograph; a diary; a letter.
  • "Scholarly sources" - this is open to interpretation. This may include books of a scholarly nature, journal articles, and trade publications. If in doubt, ask your professor what specific source types are acceptable.

Some professors will not permit certain formats, eg. websites. 

Currency

For example, a 25-year-old source for treating certain medical diseases and conditions, like HIV, mental illnesses, cancers, etc. given the advances in medical research about the disease.

However, a 50-year-old source about, for instance, Shakespeare, Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development, or Ancient Greece, is highly likely to make a reputable report or argument.

As long as the source has a publication date newer than the topic and no significantly new research has uncovered, then it should be appropriate.

 

Relevance

 

 

The source's title sounds great and just what you need, but then as you get into it, not so much.

  • Reading the abstract or summary of your source, if available. If there is no abstract or summary, skim the piece.
  • Checking out the subject headings and author-supplied keywords in the record, if any.

Accuracy

For example, a 25-year-old source for treating certain medical diseases, like HIV, given the advances in medical research about the disease.

However, a 50 year old source about Shakespeare, theorist, or philosopher, may still make a reputable argument. 

 

How strong is the methodology or evidence that the author uses to support his/her claims? 

Is the methodology or evidence sound? 

Peer-reviewed journal articles are only accepted for publication if the methodology or evidence is deemed sound by the peer-reviewer/s. 

However, in rare instances, even peer-reviewed articles have been critiqued for their lack of sound methodology due to bias, so read it yourself - does it seem sound to you? If something seems fishy, seek another opinion - ask a classmate, tutor, librarian to have a quick read of it.

 

Look at the list of references at the end of the article, or book chapter, or web page. Do the references appear reliable to you?

References that are predominantly commercial websites, blog or social media posts are a red flag. 

 

 

Authority

 

 Is the author an expert on the topic? What are their credentials?

  • Typically, an author's credentials are listed in the byline or blurb of an article or book, or in an 'About the Author/Organization' section of a book or website.
  • Otherwise, try a web search on the author for more info on their background. 

 Where was this source published? 

  • Where the source is published gives you clues of the scholarly nature and reliability of the source. 

 What kind of review did it undergo prior to publication? 

  • Academic journal articles are reviewed by an editorial body made up of experts in the field.
  • Peer-reviewed journal articles are a cut above  - they are reviewed by another expert in the field before being accepted into the journal.
  • Newspaper and magazine articles are typically reviewed by an editor, who typically holds qualifications in journalism or communications.
  • Blog and other social media posts are most likely are not reviewed by an editor, with the exception of government, academic, or other organization websites, where the posts may be reviewed by someone qualified in the field.

Purpose

 

The word support spelled out on what appear to be wooden Scrabble pieces, sitting on blank wooden pieces.

If you are still unsure -

Sometimes you may go through a checklist to evaluate a source and still have nagging doubts.

If in doubt, square those doubts away by seeking advice from someone with more expertise than you in the subject matter or in searching for information, for instance:

  • Your professor or Teacher's Assistant
  • A friend who has successfully completed the course
  • Your Liaison or Embedded Librarian or one of the librarians from the Reference Team.

Differentiating and evaluating types of articles

Scholarly vs Popular

 

 

Criteria Scholarly Journal Popular Magazine Trade Magazine/Journal
Example
The Journal of Biological Chemistry Cover Page
Time magazine Cover Page
Publisher's Weekly Cover Page
Content (Accuracy) In-depth, primary account of original findings written by the researcher(s); very specific information, with the goal of scholarly communication. Secondary discussion of someone else's research; may include personal narrative or opinion; general information, purpose is to entertain or inform. Current news, trends and products in a specific industry; practical information for professionals working in the field or industry.
Author (Authority) Author's credentials are provided; usually a scholar or specialist with subject expertise. Author is frequently a journalist paid to write articles, may or may not have subject expertise. Author is usually a professional in the field, sometimes a journalist with subject expertise.
Audience (Coverage) Scholars, researchers, and students. General public; the interested non-specialist. Professionals in the field; the interested non-specialist.
Language (Coverage) Specialized terminology or jargon of the field; requires expertise in subject area. Vocabulary in general usage; easily understandable to most readers. Specialized terminology or jargon of the field, but not as technical as a scholarly journal.
Graphics (Coverage) Graphs, charts, and tables; very few advertisements and photographs. Graphs, charts and tables; lots of glossy advertisements and photographs. Photographs; some graphics and charts; advertisements targeted to professionals in the field.
Layout & Organization (Currency) Structured; includes the article abstract, goals and objectives, methodology, results (evidence), discussion, conclusion, and bibliography. Informal; may include non-standard formatting. May not present supporting evidence or a conclusion. Informal; articles organized like a journal or a newsletter. Evidence drawn from personal experience or common knowledge.
Accountability (Objectivity) Articles are evaluated by peer-reviewers* or referees who are experts in the field; edited for content, format, and style. Articles are evaluated by editorial staff, not experts in the field; edited for format and style. Articles are evaluated by editorial staff who may be experts in the field, not peer-reviewed*; edited for format and style.
References (Objectivity) Required. Quotes and facts are verifiable. Rare. Little, if any, information about source materials is given. Occasional brief bibliographies, but not required.
Paging Page numbers are consecutive throughout the volume. Each issue begins with page 1. Each issue begins with page 1.
Other Examples
Scholarly Journal
Annals of Mathematics, Journal of Abnormal Psychology, History of Education Quarterly, Almost anything with Journal in the title.
Popular Magazine
Sports Illustrated, National Geographic, Time, Newsweek, Ladies Home Journal, Cooking Light, Discover
Trade Magazine/Journal
Architectural Record, PC World, Restaurant Business, American Libraries, Psychology Today, School Band and Orch

 

Based on Scholarly vs. Popular Materials by Amy VanScoy, NCSU Library

http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/guides/spmaterials/