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• Evaluating Sources | Methods & Examples

Evaluating Sources | Methods & Examples

Published on June 2, 2022 by Eoghan Ryan . Revised on May 31, 2023.

The sources you use are an important component of your research. It’s important to evaluate the sources you’re considering using, in order to:

• Ensure that they’re credible
• Determine whether they’re relevant to your topic
• Assess the quality of their arguments

Table of contents

Evaluating a source’s credibility, evaluating a source’s relevance, evaluating a source’s arguments, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about evaluating sources.

Evaluating the credibility of a source is an important way of sifting out misinformation and determining whether you should use it in your research. Useful approaches include the CRAAP test and lateral reading .

One of the best ways to evaluate source credibility is the CRAAP test . This stands for:

• Currency: Does the source reflect recent research?
• Relevance: Is the source related to your research topic?
• Authority: Is it a respected publication? Is the author an expert in their field?
• Accuracy: Does the source support its arguments and conclusions with evidence?
• Purpose: What is the author’s intention?

How you evaluate a source using these criteria will depend on your subject and focus. It’s important to understand the types of sources and how you should use them in your field of research.

Lateral reading

Lateral reading is the act of evaluating the credibility of a source by comparing it to other sources. This allows you to:

• Verify evidence
• Contextualize information
• Find potential weaknesses

If a source is using methods or drawing conclusions that are incompatible with other research in its field, it may not be reliable.

Rather than taking these figures at face value, you decide to determine the accuracy of the source’s claims by cross-checking them with official statistics such as census reports and figures compiled by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Immigration Statistics.

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How you evaluate the relevance of a source will depend on your topic, and on where you are in the research process . Preliminary evaluation helps you to pick out relevant sources in your search, while in-depth evaluation allows you to understand how they’re related.

Preliminary evaluation

As you cannot possibly read every source related to your topic, you can use preliminary evaluation to determine which sources might be relevant. This is especially important when you’re surveying a large number of sources (e.g., in a literature review or systematic review ).

One way to do this is to look at paratextual material, or the parts of a work other than the text itself.

• Look at the table of contents to determine the scope of the work.
• Consult the index for key terms or the names of important scholars.

You can also read abstracts , prefaces , introductions , and conclusions . These will give you a clear idea of the author’s intentions, the parameters of the research, and even the conclusions they draw.

Preliminary evaluation is useful as it allows you to:

• Determine whether a source is worth examining in more depth
• Quickly move on to more relevant sources
• Increase the quality of the information you consume

While this preliminary evaluation is an important step in the research process, you should engage with sources more deeply in order to adequately understand them.

In-depth evaluation

Begin your in-depth evaluation with any landmark studies in your field of research, or with sources that you’re sure are related to your research topic.

As you read, try to understand the connections between the sources. Look for:

• Key debates: What topics or questions are currently influencing research? How does the source respond to these key debates?
• Major publications or critics: Are there any specific texts or scholars that have greatly influenced the field? How does the source engage with them?
• Trends: Is the field currently dominated by particular theories or research methods ? How does the source respond to these?
• Gaps: Are there any oversights or weaknesses in the research?

Even sources whose conclusions you disagree with can be relevant, as they can strengthen your argument by offering alternative perspectives.

Every source should contribute to the debate about its topic by taking a clear position. This position and the conclusions the author comes to should be supported by evidence from direct observation or from other sources.

Most sources will use a mix of primary and secondary sources to form an argument . It is important to consider how the author uses these sources. A good argument should be based on analysis and critique, and there should be a logical relationship between evidence and conclusions.

To assess an argument’s strengths and weaknesses, ask:

• Does the evidence support the claim?
• How does the author use evidence? What theories, methods, or models do they use?
• Could the evidence be used to draw other conclusions? Can it be interpreted differently?
• How does the author situate their argument in the field? Do they agree or disagree with other scholars? Do they confirm or challenge established knowledge?

Situating a source in relation to other sources ( lateral reading ) can help you determine whether the author’s arguments and conclusions are reliable and how you will respond to them in your own writing.

If you want to know more about ChatGPT, AI tools , citation , and plagiarism , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

• ChatGPT vs human editor
• ChatGPT citations
• Is ChatGPT trustworthy?
• Using ChatGPT for your studies
• What is ChatGPT?
• Chicago style
• Paraphrasing

 Plagiarism

• Types of plagiarism
• Self-plagiarism
• Avoiding plagiarism
• Academic integrity
• Consequences of plagiarism
• Common knowledge

As you cannot possibly read every source related to your topic, it’s important to evaluate sources to assess their relevance. Use preliminary evaluation to determine whether a source is worth examining in more depth.

This involves:

• Reading abstracts , prefaces, introductions , and conclusions
• Looking at the table of contents to determine the scope of the work
• Consulting the index for key terms or the names of important scholars

Lateral reading is the act of evaluating the credibility of a source by comparing it with other sources. This allows you to:

A credible source should pass the CRAAP test  and follow these guidelines:

• The information should be up to date and current.
• The author and publication should be a trusted authority on the subject you are researching.
• The sources the author cited should be easy to find, clear, and unbiased.
• For a web source, the URL and layout should signify that it is trustworthy.

The CRAAP test is an acronym to help you evaluate the credibility of a source you are considering using. It is an important component of information literacy .

The CRAAP test has five main components:

• Currency: Is the source up to date?
• Relevance: Is the source relevant to your research?
• Authority: Where is the source published? Who is the author? Are they considered reputable and trustworthy in their field?
• Accuracy: Is the source supported by evidence? Are the claims cited correctly?
• Purpose: What was the motive behind publishing this source?

Scholarly sources are written by experts in their field and are typically subjected to peer review . They are intended for a scholarly audience, include a full bibliography, and use scholarly or technical language. For these reasons, they are typically considered credible sources .

Popular sources like magazines and news articles are typically written by journalists. These types of sources usually don’t include a bibliography and are written for a popular, rather than academic, audience. They are not always reliable and may be written from a biased or uninformed perspective, but they can still be cited in some contexts.

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• Evaluate Sources

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• Choose Your Topic
• Organize Your Information
• Draft Your Paper
• Revise, Review, Refine

How Will This Help Me?

Evaluating your sources will help you:

• Determine the credibility of information
• Rule out questionable information
• Check for bias in your sources

In general, websites are hosted in domains that tell you what type of site it is.

• .com = commercial
• .net = network provider
• .org = organization
• .edu = education
• .mil = military
• .gov = U.S. government

Commercial sites want to persuade you to buy something, and organizations may want to persuade you to see an issue from a particular viewpoint. 

Useful information can be found on all kinds of sites, but you must consider carefully whether the source is useful for your purpose and for your audience.

Content Farms

Content farms are websites that exist to host ads. They post about popular web searches to try to drive traffic to their sites. They are rarely good sources for research.

• Web’s “Content Farms” Grow Audiences For Ads This article by Zoe Chace at National Public Radio describes the ways How To sites try to drive more traffic to their sites to see the ads they host.

Fact Checking

Fact checking can help you verify the reliability of a source. The following sites may not have all the answers, but they can help you look into the sources for statements made in U.S. politics.

• FactCheck.org This site monitors the accuracy of statements made in speeches, debates, interviews, and more and links to sources so readers can see the information for themselves. The site is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania.
• PolitiFact This resource evaluates the accuracy of statements made by elected officials, lobbyists, and special interest groups and provides sources for their evaluations. PolitiFact is currently run by the nonprofit Poynter Institute for Media Studies.

Evaluate Sources With the Big 5 Criteria

The Big 5 Criteria can help you evaluate your sources for credibility:

• Currency: Check the publication date and determine whether it is sufficiently current for your topic.
• Coverage (relevance): Consider whether the source is relevant to your research and whether it covers the topic adequately for your needs.
• Authority: Discover the credentials of the authors of the source and determine their level of expertise and knowledge about the subject.
• Accuracy: Consider whether the source presents accurate information and whether you can verify that information. 
• Objectivity (purpose): Think about the author's purpose in creating the source and consider how that affects its usefulness to your research. 

Evaluate Sources With the CRAAP Test

Another way to evaluate your sources is the CRAAP Test, which means evaluating the following qualities of your sources:

This video (2:17) from Western Libraries explains the CRAAP Test. 

Video transcript

Evaluating Sources ( Western Libraries ) CC BY-NC-ND 3.0

Evaluate Websites

Evaluating websites follows the same process as for other sources, but finding the information you need to make an assessment can be more challenging with websites. The following guidelines can help you decide if a website is a good choice for a source for your paper. 

• Currency . A useful site is updated regularly and lets visitors know when content was published on the site. Can you tell when the site was last updated? Can you see when the content you need was added? Does the site show signs of not being maintained (broken links, out-of-date information, etc.)?
• Relevance . Think about the target audience for the site. Is it appropriate for you or your paper's audience?
• Authority . Look for an About Us link or something similar to learn about the site's creator. The more you know about the credentials and mission of a site's creators, as well as their sources of information, the better idea you will have about the site's quality. 
• Accuracy. Does the site present references or links to the sources of information it presents? Can you locate these sources so that you can read and interpret the information yourself?
• Purpose. Consider the reason why the site was created. Can you detect any bias? Does the site use emotional language? Is the site trying to persuade you about something? 

Identify Political Perspective

News outlets, think tanks, organizations, and individual authors can present information from a particular political perspective. Consider this fact to help determine whether sources are useful for your paper. 

Check a news outlet's website, usually under About Us or Contact Us , for information about their reporters and authors. For example, USA Today has the USA Today Reporter Index , and the LA Times has an Editorial & Newsroom Contacts . Reading a profile or bio for a reporter or looking at other articles by the author may tell you whether that person favors a particular viewpoint. 

If a particular organization is mentioned in an article, learn more about the organization to identify potential biases. Think tanks and other associations usually exist for a reason. Searching news articles about the organization can help you determine their political leaning. 

Bias is not always bad, but you must be aware of it. Knowing the perspective of a source helps contextualize the information presented. 

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Evaluating Sources: Introduction

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

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Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

Evaluating sources of information is an important step in any research activity. This section provides information on evaluating bibliographic citations, aspects of evaluation, reading evaluation, print vs. online sources, and evaluating Internet sources.

Evaluating sources means recognizing whether the information you read and include in your research is credible. Despite the large amount of information available, both in print and online, not all of it is valid, useful, or accurate. Evaluating sources of information that you might include in your writing is an important step in any research process.

When writing research papers, not only will you be searching for information, but you will be evaluating the sources for credibility. You have to decide where to look, how to recognize credible sources, and how to cross-check your information. Learning how to evaluate effectively is a skill you need both for your course papers and for your life.

In this section

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Evaluating Sources

Image   created by Rachelli Rotner and licensed under  CC BY SA 3.0 .

As mentioned previously, the quality of your sources is an important factor in establishing your credibility with your audience. When you evaluate a source, you need to consider the seven core points shown below:

1. Credible.

A credible source is one that has solid backing by a reputable person or organization with the authority and expertise to present the information.  The credibility of a source can be determined in many ways. Always think and read critically so you aren’t fooled.

• When you haven’t heard of an author, you can often judge whether an author is credible by reading his or her biography. If no biography is available, you can research the author yourself.
• Check for spelling and grammatical errors.
• Look for logical fallacies and author bias. Does the author make reasonable claims, support them with reliable evidence, and appear to treat any opposing voices with respect?
• Judge the credibility of an online source by looking at the site’s domain name. A .gov site, for example, is a site published by the government, which we can assume is credible. A .com site generally indicates a commercial or for profit site. A .edu site might be credible, but many institutions give students webspace, as well, so don’t assume that an .edu site is created by a university or a professor. 

Domain Names and Website Types

2. Relevant .

Is the source relevant to your topic? A source is relevant if it can contribute to your paper in a meaningful way, which might include any of the following:

• Supplies support for core argument(s)
• Adds a sense of authority to your argument(s)
• Contributes background information
• Provides other viewpoints
• Offers definitions and explanations that your audience will need for clarification

For example, if I were to write an essay about creating a community garden on a college campus, a source relating the history of community gardens might be relevant, but one discussing the creation of a campus garden might be even more relevant to my topic.

3. Current/Timely.

When determining if a source is current enough to use, a general rule of thumb is that a source must be no more than ten years old. In some situations, very few sources exist that were published within the last ten years, so older sources can be used as long as you explain why the use of the older sources is acceptable and meaningful. Or perhaps you may be using older sources to establish a historical record of thoughts and statements on your issue in question. Check the date the source was published. If the topic is very current, older sources may not add useful information. If the topic is historical, older sources may help put the issue in perspective. For example, a 1997 report on elderly drivers may or may not be helpful in an argument about elderly drivers 23 years later in 2020.

4. Accurate .

Before you use a source, you need to satisfy yourself that the information is accurate . In print sources, you can use the author (if known) and the publisher to help you decide. If you think the author and publisher are legitimate sources, then you are probably safe in assuming that their work is accurate. In the case of online information, in addition to considering the author and publisher, you can look at how long ago the site was updated, if evidence is provided to back up statements, and if the information appears to be thorough. For either print or online sources, you can check accuracy by finding other sources that support the facts in question.

5. Reasonable .

You can deem a source to be reasonable if it makes overall sense as you read through it. In other words, use your personal judgment to determine if you think the information the source provides sounds plausible.

6. Reliable.

Reliable sources do not show bias or conflict of interest. They do present verifiable information. Sources that do not give citations or references are not reliable because the information given cannot be verified. In written sources, documentation is usually provided within the text and in a references page, as well. Internet sources may have documentation incorporated, or they may simply include hyperlinks to the source itself.  If you are unsure about the reliability of a source, check to see if it includes a list of references, and then track down a sampling of those references. Also, check the publisher. Reliable publishers rarely involve themselves with unreliable information.

7. Objective.

A source is objective if it provides both sides of an argument or more than one viewpoint. Although you can use sources that do not provide more than one viewpoint, you need to balance them with sources that provide other viewpoints. In addition: Diverse . Does the author utilize sources that all come from the same website, for example, or sources all written by the same author, or does the author’s work contain references from a wide variety of perspectives?

1. Choose a research topic of interest to you. Find one source that is both related to the overall topic and relevant to your specific topic. Describe the relevant role the source could make (support, authority, background, viewpoints, or knowledge). Find a second source that is related to the overall topic but not as relevant to your specific topic.

2. Find a source that you think is not acceptable due to not being accurate, reasonable, reliable, or objective. Share the source with your classmates and explain why you have deemed the source as unacceptable.

3. Choose a research topic of interest to you. Find two sources with information that relate to your topic—one that is credible and one that is not credible. Explain what makes one credible and the other not credible.

Practice Evaluating a Text Source

1. Use the following questions to evaluate a text source:

• Who is the author?
• What type—or genre—of source is it?
• What kind of audience does the author anticipate?
• What is the author’s primary purpose?
• What are the author’s sources of information?

2. Decide on the overall credibility of the source:

Excellent   Good   Fair   Poor

3. Provide a Reason for your Evaluation:

• trustworthiness of the source, author’s credentials
• publisher or sponsoring organization reputable
• author a specialist in field
• information relevant to research topic
• if currency of information relevant to topic: up-to-date publication with recent copyright date
• updates provided if new information should be considered to increase knowledge base
• claims supported
• facts and statistics backed by verifiable research or studies
• presence of bibliography indicating what research was done
• no obvious conflicts of interest
• fallacies absent; lack of bias
• information presented in fair, balanced, objective
• both sides of issue presented or clearly stated point of view

Practice Evaluating an Online Source

1. Use the following questions to evaluate an online source:

• author clearly identified,
• author’s credentials listed
• affiliation of the author with a reputable organization
• if organization is involved, there is a way provided to contact organization
• possible to verify credibility of author and/or organization
• site does not require passwords or memberships
• lack of typos or other signs of sloppiness
• presence of editor or someone who verifies the information
• clear when information was published and last updated
• version studied is most current
• current links to other Web pages
• site maintained and updated frequently
• information mirrors or matches other information sources, including print
• if page contains advertising, can clearly distinguish between ads and content
• hyperlinks to additional information included
• information seems reasonable and/or verifiable
• content presented in organized, functional way
• easy way to search the site or help feature

Attributions

• Content adapted from “ Chapter 7: Researching ” and licensed under CC BY NC SA .
• Content written by Dr. Karen Palmer  and Licensed under CC BY NC SA .
• Content written by Dr. Sandi Van Lieu and Licensed under CC BY NC SA .

The RoughWriter's Guide Copyright © 2020 by Dr. Karen Palmer and Dr. Sandi Van Lieu is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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• How it works

How To Evaluate Sources

Published by Alvin Nicolas at October 17th, 2023 , Revised On October 17, 2023

The vast sea of information is merely a click away in today’s fast-paced, digitally dominated world. With the proliferation of blogs, forums, news outlets, and social media platforms, anyone can become an ‘expert’ and share ‘facts’.

Now, more than ever, there is a paramount need for discernment and the ability to sift through the avalanche of data to uncover the truth. This is why understanding the importance of using credible sources has become a non-negotiable skill.

Credible sources and the ability to paraphrase sources are the backbone of any well-informed argument, research, or discourse. They offer a foundation upon which ideas can stand tall and unchallenged, especially when you understand how to integrate sources seamlessly into your work.

Without credible sources, even the most compelling narratives may crumble under scrutiny. Think of credible sources as the bricks that build a strong and resilient information structure, ensuring it can withstand the winds of scepticism and the rains of inquiry.

Different Types of Sources

Distinguishing between different types of sources is fundamental for academic, journalistic, and personal research. Let’s explore the differences:

Primary Sources

• Definition: Direct or first-hand evidence about an event, object, person, or work of art. These sources are contemporary to the events and people described.
• Examples: Original documents (e.g., letters, diaries, interviews, and raw data), original creative works (e.g., art, poetry, and music), relics or artefacts (e.g., pottery, fossils, and coins), and published results of experiments or studies.
• Purpose: To offer direct evidence or first-hand testimony without interpretation or commentary.

Secondary Sources

• Definition: Sources that describe, discuss, interpret, analyse, evaluate, or process primary sources. They provide a second-hand account.
• Examples: Textbooks, book reviews, critiques, biographies, journal articles that interpret or review research works, and encyclopedias.
• Purpose: To provide interpretation, analysis, context, or commentary on the primary source material.

Scholarly (Academic) Sources

• Definition: Works written by experts in a particular field and intended for academic purposes. These often undergo a rigorous peer-review process.
• Authored by experts, often affiliated with academic institutions.
• Contain in-depth analysis or original research.
• Cite their sources, often with comprehensive bibliographies.
• Usually published in specialised journals, by academic presses, or scholarly organisations.
• Use jargon or the specialised language of the field.
• Examples: Peer-reviewed journal articles, academic books, dissertations, and conference proceedings.

Popular Sources

• Definition: Works intended for a general audience, usually not peer-reviewed.
• Written in a more casual or general style.
• Authored by journalists, freelance writers, or the general public.
• Rarely provide full citations for sources.
• They are often meant to entertain, sell, or promote a viewpoint.
• They can be published quickly without rigorous review processes.
• Examples: Newspapers, magazines, blog posts, and mainstream books.

The CRAP Test: A Handy Acronym for Evaluating a Source

The CRAP Test is a useful mnemonic for source evaluation or evaluating the credibility and reliability of a source. Here is a more detailed breakdown of each point:

The timeliness of the information: This refers to how recent the information is. In many fields, especially ones like science and technology, newer information is often more accurate because it takes into account the latest discoveries, trends, or societal changes.

Consideration of publication, revision, and update dates: It is crucial to check when the source was originally published and when it was last updated. A source that is regularly updated indicates that the information is kept current. However, remember that just because a source is older doesn’t mean it’s not valuable. Some older sources provide foundational knowledge or historical context.

The importance of the information to your needs: Is the information presented directly related to your research topic or question? If it is not, it might not be the best source to use.

Does the source answer your research question?: The best sources directly address and provide insights into your specific inquiries. Sometimes, even if a source is credible, it might not be pertinent to your particular topic.

The source of the information: It is crucial to know where the information is coming from. Is it from a reputable institution? A trusted news outlet? A peer-reviewed journal?

Credentials and qualifications of the author or publisher: Who wrote or published the information? What are their qualifications? An article about a medical procedure is more credible if written by a doctor or medical researcher than by someone without any field background.

The reason the information exists: Every piece of information or article has a purpose. It could be to inform, persuade, entertain, or even deceive.

Identifying potential biases and intentions: All authors and publishers have different perspectives. It’s essential to identify these to evaluate the potential slant of the information. Is the source trying to sell something? Does the author have a political or personal agenda? Recognising these biases will help you critically assess the value and reliability of the source.

Beyond CRAP: Additional Methods Of Evaluating Sources

Beyond the CRAP Test, one should consider other essential criteria when evaluating a source. Let’s delve deeper into the additional points you mentioned:

Cross-referencing information with other sources: This is one of the most effective ways to verify the accuracy of a source. No matter how credible a source might seem on its own, it’s always beneficial to corroborate the presented information with other reliable sources.

For instance, if a news article claims a particular statistic, it’s wise to find the original study or report to see if the numbers match up. When various reputable sources agree on a piece of information, it increases the likelihood that it is accurate.

Objectivity

Identifying any potential biases or perspectives: While the CRAP Test’s “Purpose” touches on biases, diving deeper into objectivity is crucial.

• Be aware of the tone of the source. Is it neutral, or does it seem to lean heavily in a particular direction?
• Consider the affiliation of the author or the publishing entity. For instance, research funded by a company might be biased towards presenting that company’s products in a favourable light.
• It is essential to differentiate between facts and opinions. While opinions can provide valuable insights, they are inherently subjective and should be evaluated as such.

The depth and breadth of the presented information:

Depth: Refers to how detailed the information is. A source that goes into great depth about a particular topic provides a thorough understanding, which is especially important for academic or in-depth research.

For instance, a peer-reviewed journal article on a specific scientific topic will likely provide more depth than a general news article on the same topic.

Breadth: Refers to how wide-ranging the information is. For some research, getting a broader overview is more useful than diving deep into minutiae.

For example, an encyclopedia entry might provide a broad overview of a historical event, which can be useful for someone looking for general knowledge on the topic.

The research done by our experts have:

• Precision and Clarity
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• Authentic Sources

Practical Tips on How to Evaluate Sources

Here are practical tips based on the pointers you mentioned:

Making Use of Libraries and Librarians

• Why Libraries?: Libraries, especially academic ones, often curate a selection of reputable sources, including books, journals, and digital resources.
• Ask a Librarian: Librarians are information specialists. They can guide you to the best resources for your topic, teach you how to use databases, and even help with source-citing methods .
• Interlibrary Loan Services: If your library doesn’t have a specific resource, they can often borrow it from another library. This service expands the range of available materials.

Leveraging Online Scholarly Databases and Trusted Journalism Outlets

This is an excellent way for better information literacy . 

• Scholarly Databases: Websites like Google Scholar, JSTOR, and PubMed provide a vast array of peer-reviewed articles and research papers. Access might be free, or you might need a subscription (often provided by educational institutions).
• Trusted Journalism Outlets: Stick to respected journalism outlets that have a reputation for factual reporting and adhere to journalistic ethics. Examples include BBC, The New York Times, Reuters, and others. Beware of sources that consistently display overt bias or that don’t cite their information.
• Paywalls and Access: Some high-quality sources might be behind paywalls. Check if you can access them through institutional subscriptions (like university access) or consider investing in a subscription if you frequently need reliable information.

Using Fact-Checking Websites to Validate Controversial or Questionable Information

• Why Fact-Check?: In an era of “fake news” and misinformation, fact-checking websites can quickly help determine the validity of a claim or news story.
• Popular Fact-Checking Sites: Websites like Snopes, FactCheck.org, and PolitiFact are known for their rigorous standards and can be a good starting point.
• How to Use: When you encounter a claim or story that seems dubious or too sensational, input the main points or keywords into a fact-checking site to see if they have analysed its veracity.
• Caveat: No source is infallible. Even fact-checking websites can make mistakes or might have biases, so it’s always a good idea to cross-reference with other trusted sources.

Diversify your Sources

Even when you have a trusted source, applying critical thinking by consulting multiple sources always provides a holistic view.

Stay Updated

The realm of information is continuously evolving. Trusted sources today might lose credibility in the future. Stay informed about the reliability of your go-to sources.

Trust, but Verify

Even if a piece of information seems plausible, take a moment to validate it, especially if you plan to share or act upon it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can students evaluate sources.

Students can evaluate sources by checking their credibility, relevance, and bias. They should consider the author’s qualifications, the publication date, the publisher’s reputation, and the source’s purpose. Cross-referencing with other reliable sources and checking for citations also aids in determining the validity of the information.

How do you evaluate the evidence or sources?

Evaluate evidence or sources by examining their credibility, accuracy, relevance, and bias. Consider the author’s qualifications, publication date, source’s origin, and intent. Cross-referencing information with other reputable sources and assessing the quality of citations further ensures the reliability and authenticity of the presented evidence.

How to evaluate sources?

To evaluate sources, consider credibility, relevance, bias, and timeliness. Check the author’s qualifications, publication’s reputation, and date. Examine the source’s intent and audience. Cross-reference information with other trusted sources. Look for citations and evidence supporting claims. Question any unsourced or overly biased statements.

Why is it important to evaluate a source?

Evaluating a source ensures information accuracy, credibility, and reliability. Without evaluation, one risks using misleading or false data, which can lead to misinformed decisions, perpetuate misinformation, and compromise the integrity of research or arguments. Understanding a source’s context, bias, and quality is crucial for discerning truth and making informed judgments.

What are the evaluation methods?

Evaluation methods include quantitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitative methods involve numerical data and statistical analysis, while qualitative methods focus on descriptive data, observations, and interviews. Common methods include surveys, experiments, case studies, content analysis, focus groups, and ethnographic research. The chosen method depends on the research question and desired outcomes.

How to choose a source for scholarly research?

Prioritise peer-reviewed journals or academic publishers.

Examine authors’ credentials and affiliations.

Check the publication date to ensure relevancy.

Review citations and bibliography for credibility.

Ensure the research methodology is rigorous.

Prefer sources cited frequently by other scholars.

What is lateral reading?

Lateral reading is a research strategy where, instead of deeply reading a single source first, a researcher quickly consults multiple external sources to evaluate the credibility of the initial information. By cross-referencing and comparing, one can more effectively determine the reliability of online content and avoid misinformation.

What makes a source credible?

• It originates from reputable institutions or authors with relevant credentials.
• It’s published in peer-reviewed journals or by esteemed publishers.
• Its information is current, or historically accurate for older topics.
• It’s unbiased and free from conflicts of interest.
• Its claims are supported by evidence.

What is the CRAAP test?

Currency: the timeliness of the information.

Relevance: the importance of the information to your topic.

Authority: the source’s credentials or background.

Accuracy: the reliability and truthfulness of content.

Purpose: the reason the information exists.

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Primary sources refer to original, unmediated documents or records that have not been altered or transformed by interpretation or commentary. They provide first-hand accounts, evidence, or direct testimony concerning a subject or event under investigation.

Scholarly sources, also known as academic sources, refer to materials created to meet the standards and expectations of the academic community.

A credible source can be trusted to provide accurate, reliable, and unbiased information. Credible sources are essential for various purposes, including academic research, journalism, decision-making, and gaining knowledge on various topics.

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• Journal Articles
• Evaluating Sources

Evaluating Sources: Introduction

Evaluating sources - considerations, evaluating resources, evaluate sources, "is it too good to be true".

• Information Literacy Tutorial

Is it Current, Relevant, Accurate with Authority and Purpose? (select to enlarge)

How to spot fake news.

• Evaluating Sources: Introduction Evaluating sources means recognizing whether the information you read and include in your research is credible. Despite the large amount of information available, both in print and online, not all of it is valid, useful, or accurate. Evaluating sources of information that you might include in your writing is an important step in any research process. When writing research papers, not only will you be searching for information, but you will be evaluating the sources for credibility. You have to decide where to look, how to recognize credible sources, and how to cross-check your information. Learning how to evaluate effectively is a skill you need both for your course papers and for your life.

What authority does the author speak from?  

• Biographical information, including position and experience
• Institutional affiliation
• Education and how the author is regarded in their field of study

What gives this information validation ?  

• How the data is organized 
• Research methods used to gather and interpret the information 
• Methodology appropriate for the topic
• Can the study be duplicated 
• Sources are noted and retrievable

Point of View or Bias

Check the URL to determine if the organization has a stake in the issue at hand.

• If the information is from a corporation it will be presented in a positive light
• Products produced or sold will be for advertisement
• Political website determine if the information is from the opposition, etc.
• Internet, due to its structure self publication is easy, allowing for a vast variety of points of views 

Knowledge of the Literature

This helps to evaluate the author's  scholarship  or knowledge of trends in their area of study.

• Bibliography
• Information makes sense
• Author discusses values or limitations of research

How timely is the information?

• Date of publication, authorship or historical record 
• Library databases include subject headings, abstracts and index permanent and reliable information
• Possible investigative sources: 
• Pay for Placement from Search enginewatch.com for top space advertisement sellers 
• Search Engine Showdown  check the frequency of search engine is updates and how it finds information  written by Greg R. Notes. 

Publishing Body

Is this information screened through peer review?

• Document part of an official academic or scholarly web site 
• Check the URL and if this organization is not recognized in your field of study
• Identify the server with dnslookup  and whois ,
• If it resides in an individuals' personal internet account (which should be approached with great caution) through Understanding and Decoding URLs

(2016, November)  Evaluating Information from Johns Hopkins University's research tools. Retrieved from  http://guides.library.jhu.edu/c.php?g=202581&p=1334914

• Understanding URL Encoding
• Evaluating Web Content A guide to judging the reliability of web information, including blogs and social media sites. From SUNY/Albany.

[Libncsu]. (2015, June 9). Evaluating Sources for Credibility [Video File]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/PLTOVoHbH5c

All information, whether in print or by byte, needs to be evaluated by readers for authority, appropriateness, and other personal criteria for value. If you find information that is "too good to be true", it probably is. Never use information that you cannot verify. Establishing and learning criteria to filter information you find on the Internet is a good beginning for becoming a critical consumer of information in all forms. "Cast a cold eye" (as Yeats wrote) on everything you read. Question it. Look for other sources that can authenticate or corroborate what you find. Learn to be skeptical and then learn to trust your instincts. — from Evaluating Information from Johns Hopkins University's research tools.  

(2016, November) Evaluating Information from Johns Hopkins University's research tools. Retrieved from  http://guides.library.jhu.edu/c.php?g=202581&p=1334914

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Use credible research sources to strengthen your arguments.

Sometimes your instructor will require you to incorporate certain types of resources into your research, but for other assignments, you will be looking for sources on your own.

The Internet and the library both contain information on virtually any topic, but it’s important to make sure that you use credible, current sources. Inaccurate, questionable, or out-of-date sources can undermine your ideas and cause the reader to question your authority on your topic. Relevant and informed sources can help you to support and prove your thesis and persuade your audience, so evaluating and selecting sources carefully is an important part of writing a strong, convincing paper.

When searching the library catalogue, an electronic database (such as LexisNexus or Academic Search Premier), or an Internet search engine (such as Google), you’ll probably be surprised at how many resources you find. This is particularly true when conducting an Internet search. As you conduct these initial searches, use the following guidelines to determine whether each source is credible, relevant, and appropriate for your project:

• Author: Who is the author of your source? If you can’t tell who wrote an article, essay, or study, you might want to reconsider using this source. If the material is credible, the author will generally want to be associated with it, so lack of an author can indicate that the source is questionable or unreliable.   
• Date: When was the source published or updated? Most books and articles display this prominently, but you may have to look harder for the date on a website or web article. Avoid using sources if you cannot establish a date, since the information may be old or irrelevant.

Your instructor may require you to use a certain number of sources published within the last year, but even if this isn’t the case, try to use as many current (within the last six months to a year) as possible. Certain topics will change significantly in a short period of time, and you want to make sure that your information is current and informed.

In certain circumstances, older sources may be acceptable. For example, if you are comparing how attitudes towards travel have changed since 9/11, it would be useful to find information both prior to and following 9/11. Remember that even if an older article would be useful, always make sure that you can establish when the source was written and/or published.

• Credentials: What are the author’s credentials? Does the article list any degrees, professional affiliations, or describe any experience the author has with the subject? If you’re conducting research on alternative treatments for migraines, for example, you might look to see if the author is a doctor, dietician, alternative health practitioner, or someone with advanced scientific knowledge of migraines and medicine.

Other experience might also make an author credible: if she or he once suffered from migraines but changed this with a combination of diet and exercise, then this author may also have credible knowledge about this topic. Personal experience can make an author less objective, however. While this may not disqualify the source, it’s important to be informed about any biases the author might have.

• Publication Information: How and where was the source published or made available to the public? Often your instructor will require that you use the online library databases to search for magazine, newspaper, and/or journal articles. Many of these can be accessed online, so you’ll be able to read and print the entire article without even leaving your computer.

Although articles in newspapers and popular magazines can help with introductory research, since they help you to learn the basics of a topic, you will probably want to use scholarly resources for more advanced research. Peer-reviewed periodicals are often excellent resources, since each article will have been evaluated and reviewed by independent experts in the field prior to publication. Here are some characteristics of peer-reviewed periodicals:

• The author is a scholar or researcher in the field
• The author cites his or her sources in footnotes or a bibliography
• The journal is published or sponsored by a professional organization (such as the American Medical Association or American Bar Association)
• The journal is published by an academic institution (such as the University of Maryland) or research institution (such as the National Institutes of Health)
• There is very little, if any, advertising
• The title contains the words Journal, Quarterly, or Review 

If you are using a source accessed via the Internet (rather than through an electronic database), you should determine the credibility of the sponsoring organization by considering the following:

• What is the website's URL? Pay particular attention to the last part of the domain name (for example, the edu in the URL www.umgc.edu). A .edu indicates that the website’s sponsoring organization is an accredited college or university, while a .org usually indicates that the sponsor is a nonprofit organization. A .com or .net may indicate that the sponsor is for profit.
• Is there an About page or a link to more information about the sponsoring organization? Organizations may have a mission statement that reveals a particular bias or stance.
• While none of these may necessarily disqualify or qualify a source, they can help you determine if the website has any biases on either side of an issue or topic.
• UMGC Library:  Identify Scholarly Journals
• University of Maryland Libraries:  Checklist to Evaluating Web Sites

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Assessing Source Credibility for Crafting a Well-Informed Argument

This article walks students through how to use critical reading strategies to help them select credible sources for their research papers and helps them understand how critical reading assignments they may have completed earlier in the semester have prepared them for the difficult task of selecting sources. Through analysis of how logos, ethos, and pathos are used in potential sources, students will understand that these persuasive techniques can influence the overall credibility of a source. Seven questions are presented that aid in critical reading, and examples of student writing are provided that demonstrate the connection between the use of persuasive techniques and their effect on the credibility of a particular source. The chapter concludes with a brief evaluation of two Internet sources on the topic of animal shelters, providing students with an anchor for evaluating sources as they prepare their own research papers.

In your writing course, you’re likely to encounter a variety of assignments—reading, responding, writing essays—and each of these assignments is a building block to improved writing skills. Research writing requires all of the skills learned in these kinds of assignments; it demands you put theory into practice, gather sources, synthesize them, and lend your voice to the ongoing conversation.

Critical Reading for Writing

Establishing credibility.

You’ve probably noticed that establishing credibility (ethos) is one of the most important things an author can do, and nearly every aspect of the es- say—its audience awareness, organization, and content—can affect the author’s credibility. Therefore, when determining the credibility of published sources for your research paper, you’ll have to be thorough and focused. Even though you may not realize it, if you have engaged in discussions or written responses to assigned readings in the past, you may already have had plenty of practice assessing an author’s credibility. For example, take a look at this excerpt from Jack’s reading response. Jack is responding to Dorothy Allison’s essay “What Did You Expect?” that was assigned in his Composition I class:

I feel that Dorothy Allison is a very creative and honest writer, who believes in the importance of writing about the truths of life…she doesn’t have any qualms talking about where and how she was raised. Even though she is a very accomplished writer, Allison is very self conscious of how people perceive her. Her childhood seems to be the cause of her low self-esteem and inadequacies which are stated in her writing… I was happy to know that Allison decided to go with a photo shoot of her in a Laundromat. This is showing that she is a down-to-earth everyday person, which to me is more appealing than an unrealistic Barbie doll figure that a lot of famous women try to personify. In sticking to her guns about not doing the powdered sugar photo shoot, Dorothy Allison is proving that she is not a sell out, and has moral value and self worth. (Jack (pseudonym). Reader Response to “What Did You Expect?”).

Jack has approached this reading assignment as an active and engaged reader. He evaluates Allison’s credibility in the essay and uses examples from the text that lead him to the conclusion that “Dorothy Allison is a creative and honest writer.” Jack recognizes that Allison is an “accomplished writer” who is well-educated. He learns these facts by reading the introduction to the essay that included facts about Dorothy Allison, a writ- er whom Jack was not familiar with before he read this essay. Jack takes this information with him as he reads the text and looks for other clues to Allison’s credibility as an author. Allison’s willingness to share information about her childhood, and her “down-to-earth” quality that she expresses in her writing despite her apparent fame persuades Jack that what Allison writes is genuine and important.

The qualities Jack looks for in Allison’s writing to evaluate her credibility are qualities that you can use to evaluate any author’s credibility. You can ask yourself:

• Who is the author?
• How do I know that he/she is knowledgeable about the subject?

In Jack’s case, he knows who the author is because he read the introductory material, and he believes Allison is knowledgeable about the subject because she writes about herself in a way that Jack perceives to be honest and forthright. It doesn’t hurt that Allison writes about herself, a topic that any reader would expect Allison to know more about than anyone else.

Determining the credibility of an author can involve more than just knowing the author’s credentials and whether or not they are knowledgeable about the topic. Authors establish credibility with the way they con- struct their arguments. If an argument is illogical or seems to be biased in some way, this damages the author’s credibility. One common mistake writers make is to represent only one side of an argument, which could make the audience believe that the author is either not knowledgeable about other possible arguments or not interested in these arguments. If an author is forthright about presenting a biased viewpoint, then you might believe the author to be more credible than one who claims to be presenting both sides of the story but does not.

Assessing Source Bias

The way authors choose to make their point is also important when evaluating sources for credibility. For example, you’ve probably seen the ASPCA commercials featuring melancholy music and heartbreaking pictures of sad or abused animals. The goal of these commercials is to persuade viewers to donate money to the ASPCA—and the appeal to emotions is hard to miss. The ASPCA and homeless pets have certainly benefitted from the generosity of viewers whose heartstrings were tugged by the use of emotion in these commercials.

Appealing to the reader’s emotions (using pathos) can be very effective at helping the reader connect to the author’s main point, but when we select sources for research projects, we must make sure that an author’s appeal to emotion is not a sign of bias. Biased sources may cause readers to feel guilty about holding certain viewpoints or engaging in certain activities which may be the goal of the source. For example, Lisa writes in her reading journal about Kasper Hauser’s “Skymaul”—a parody of the Sky- Mall catalog that used to be found in most airlines’ seatback pockets. She understands that Kasper Hauser is poking fun at consumer culture while realizing that she is an active part of that culture:

We don’t necessarily need any of the things advertised in the media or even in magazines though we more than often desire the things that might not even benefit our everyday lives… I find the pepper self-spray quite ironic; maybe it’s just me but sometimes I feel like I’m actually pepper spraying myself when I purchase such things like are sold in the Skymall catalogue because maybe it just wasn’t worth it or it didn’t function as advertised. (Lisa (pseudonym). Reader Response to “Skymaul?”).

In her response, Lisa knows that Kasper Hauser is presenting a particular side of the argument about consumer culture. Viewing the parody makes her feel a bit stupid for participating in this kind of culture—like she’s “pepper spraying” herself. Kasper Hauser’s “Skymaul” is biased because it only presents one side of the argument about consumerism, and it makes the reader aware of his or her place in the culture the group critiques—even causing the viewer to feel guilty or stupid for being part of that culture.

Using biased sources in your research can be problematic, particularly if you do not acknowledge that the source is biased. When you are engaging in critical reading assignments and/or evaluating sources for your research, ask yourself these questions to determine the degree to which a source is biased:

• Is the author using emotional appeals/manipulation in his or her argument?
• Does the author use “loaded” language to distract readers from relevant reasons and evidence?

Sometimes authors dismiss opposing arguments by claiming that these arguments are “uninformed” or “nonsensical.” Some less savvy authors will be as bold as to claim another viewpoint is “stupid.” Watch for these kinds of words because they are signs of bias.

Evaluating an Argument’s Support

How authors put arguments together and what support they use to bolster their arguments can affect the credibility of the source. If an author makes an argument that remains logical and consistent from beginning to end, then readers are likely to be persuaded. When an author presents an illogical argument or an argument that seems to change as it develops, the author’s credibility and persuasiveness is damaged. For instance, in John Freyer’s “All My Life for Sale” some readers might sense that the stated purpose of the essay doesn’t seem to match up with its tone. Telling his story, Freyer reflects on a project where he set up a Web site and sold all of his belongings over the Internet. He kept track of where many of his be- longings went and attempted to visit his old belongings and the people who purchased them. While the reader might appreciate the author’s creativity and a sense of adventure, deriving further “gains” from the initial project and publishing an essay might appear to some as merely a promotional campaign. A cautious reader might even suspect a hidden agenda behind the Freyer’s project in which personal attachments were mined for money-making opportunities.

Despite Freyer’s disclaimer that his motivations were more complex than just to make some money, readers who believe that his project as a whole and his essay in particular is an attempt at self-promotion will be questioning the essay with the following:

5. Is the support for the argument appropriate to the claim?

6. Are all the statements believable?

7. Is the argument consistent and complete?

Like questions 1-4, questions 5, 6, and 7 also can help you to determine whether an author is credible; these three questions address whether the argument is logically acceptable. The more logical an argument is, the more likely the reader will be persuaded.

When you evaluate a piece of writing using these seven questions, you are using critical reading and thinking skills. These are the same skills you will use when you are evaluating sources for the research essay you are preparing. You are going to want to establish your own credibility in your writing. If you use sources that aren’t credible, then your own credibility will suffer.

Finding Sources

While searching for sources, you will be making a lot of decisions. Some of them are easy; others are tough. Yet, regardless of what your decisions are going to be about—the focus, the argument, the support materials—at the core lies your credibility as a writer. In fact, there will be two kinds of credibility to juggle—that of your sources and that of your own. If you want to come across as a knowledgeable writer, the company you assemble (that is, the sources you bring in) will speak volumes about you and your understanding of the subject.

Striking as it might sound, credibility is not an innate quality. Credibility is established. Demonstrate a firm grasp of the matter at hand, and your audience will perceive you as a knowledgeable person, worthy of their attention. Show that you know who argues against your case, and your audience will take your argument more seriously. “But what if I am not particularly knowledgeable about the subject matter?” you might ask. “What if I am making my first scholastic steps?” Well, there is plenty of good news for you: good sources lend you their credibility.

•  How do you find good sources, then? Earlier in this chapter, we listed seven questions that can help you to determine the credibility of your sources:
• Is the support for the argument appropriate to the claim?
• Are all the statements believable?
• Is the argument consistent and complete?

These questions will help you select the sources that contribute best to your credibility as a writer. You may come across an insightful comment on your topic in a book, on a flyer, in an email, or a blog. You may hear important information in a radio program or on a late-night TV show. No media should be banned from your search effort, but you should be very picky about making the source yours. Remind yourself that sources are people and that you are about to jump into a conversation they have been having. To do so effectively, take a critical view of their conversation first. In other words, evaluate your sources.

Evaluating sources and critical reading go hand-in-hand. You read a piece critically in order to understand it. You evaluate the same piece in order to make an informed decision about “inviting” the writer to have a conversation with you on a topic. Simply put, when evaluating, you “read with an attitude” (Palmquist 49). The following advice might be useful:

Accept nothing at face value; ask questions about your topic; look for similarities and differences in the source you read; examine the implications of what you read for your research project; be on the alert for unusual information; and note relevant sources and information. Most importantly, be open to ideas and arguments, even if you don’t agree with them. Give them a chance to affect how you think about the conversation you have decided to join. (Palmquist 53)

Okay, given the variety of sources and the virtual sea of information, do you have to read and evaluate all sources in the same way? The short answer is, “It depends.” The general rules of critical reading and evaluating apply to the majority of sources. However, as more and more information is posted on the Web, additional precautions are needed.

Let’s revisit, for a moment, the library setting. You have probably been told that print materials collected by librarians have great advantages. They are of a high quality because librarians review and carefully select books and journals for the library to buy. Library collections are systematically organized and cataloged. In case you are having trouble navigating the collection, the library staff can help you find what you are looking for or suggest where to look.

These are all good points. But libraries and print materials do have some disadvantages. Collections are limited by the physical space and the budget. Libraries cannot buy all the books printed in the world nor can they subscribe to all periodicals out there. They specialize in some subjects, while collecting very basic materials in other fields. To find a movie that came out, say, in the early 1940s, you might need to travel to a place that holds a copy of it or use the interlibrary loan system and borrow it for a short period of time.

Don’t online resources have an advantage here? Yes and no. When your computer is connected to the Internet, you have a world of information at your fingertips. Type in a search term, and hundreds, if not thousands, of documents appear on your screen in a split second. News that broke an hour ago, game schedules, flight information, stock quotes, currency ex- change rates, current temperature at your location, a list of courses offered at your school next semester, a menu at a nearby restaurant—you can access all that without leaving home.

In addition to being conveniently accessible, online information comes from a variety of sources that sometimes rival those in a library. Videos, audio files, and images all reside on the Internet. Say you are writing about global warming. In addition to scholarly journal articles, news briefs, environmental agencies’ reports, statistics, transcripts of Congressional hearings, activists’ blogs and discussion forums, a simple Google search can also bring you videos, maps, PowerPoint presentations, and the like. To find all those resources in one library would be very difficult, if not impossible.

The Web, however, has its own disadvantages. One particularly notable concern is that because anyone can upload materials online, no one can be assured of their quality. No trained staff is out there to assist you in sieving through what you have pulled onto your screen. The sheer volume of in- formation might be overwhelming, making you sometimes feel that there exists nothing of value on your particular topic.

There is no shortage of materials—both online and in print—as you have found by now. But which ones are good ones? To make that determination, it’s time to be as picky as possible, scrutinizing the structure of their argument (logos), their motives and agendas (ethos), and their fair use of emotional appeals (pathos).

When you are writing a research paper, you will be expected to do precisely that, and more. You will also need to enter in a conversation with your sources and respond to them rather than report what they are saying. While your audience will, no doubt, benefit from knowing what experts have said, they are reading your paper and are interested in hearing what you have to say. Listen to what your sources say (that is, read carefully and critically) and try to understand their position. Then, agree or dis- agree, draw parallels between their views and yours, ask questions and take sides. Translated onto a written page, your conversation will take the shape of your quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing. By doing so, you will be contributing to the discussion with your own observations, questions, comments, and concerns.

Selecting Sources Sample Topic: Animal Treatment

Let’s explore the topic of animal treatment. After watching an ASPCA commercial, you decided to explore the topic of animal shelters. Your interest in the topic was piqued by a brief memory of a handmade poster you saw earlier at a gas station. “Emily Missing,” you remember it saying. Judging by the picture, Emily happened to be a kitten that ran away. “What if someone found Emily but had not seen the poster?” you wondered. Someone could have tried to return her to her owners if she wore a tag, or Emily could have been turned in to the nearest animal shelter or humane society. With Emily’s fortune at the back of your mind, you want to learn more about animals in animal shelters and possibly write your findings in a paper.

You have a zillion questions to ask. How many animal shelters are currently in operation in the United States, or even in a given state? How many animals are kept there? What are the most common animals in a shelter? Do most animals in shelters get adopted? How do shelters ensure that an animal goes to good hands and not to abusive owners or research labs? What happens to those who cannot find a new owner because of their age, illness, or behavioral problems? How do shelters raise money? What happens to animals when a shelter cannot house them any longer?

Following in the steps of dozens of your fellow classmates, you opened a Google search and typed in “animal shelter” (see figure 1). Among the top results, you saw links to your local animal shelters and other res- cue organizations.

When searching for “animal shelter,” you receive more than one billion results. You are now faced with a formidable evaluation task, but you can’t possibly look at all of these sources. You could choose to narrow your search terms to something like “animal shelters and lost pets” (which yields 66,200,000 results) or take Google’s apparent suggestion and focus your search on animal shelters in your local area. Let’s say you decide to focus on the Humane Society of North Texas, the first result from your original search (see figure 2).

To guide you during this evaluation process are the critical reading questions that we discussed earlier.

Using the Questions to Determine Credibility

Just by looking at the homepage, it is clear that the Humane Society of North Texas sponsors and maintains the site. After clicking on some of the more specific links on the top of the page, you locate some press releases that name individual authors and their titles. For example, if you clicked on the item “Newsroom” from the drop-down menu under “Home,” then on the press release titled “We Like Big Mutts and We Cannot Lie (Ok- Cats, Too)!,” you will be directed to the page shown here in Figure 3. Notice that the author is Cassie Lackey, who is the Director of Communications for the Humane Society of North Texas. Because Lackey works for the Humane Society of North Texas, she likely has access to accurate information about this organization. Her role as Director of Communications is to inform the community about news related to the Humane Society, so from what we can tell so far, she appears to be a credible author (see figure 3).

While it appears as if this source has a credible author, we should look for other clues to help us feel certain about its credibility. The extension .org in the URL indicates that this Web site is not set up for commercial purposes—that is, not for deriving profit from the activity on the site. In fact, the central features of the site are the menu items at the top of the home page: Adopt, Services Volunteer, and Donate. The information ap- pears very straightforward and oriented toward a clear purpose: to help people adopt animals or volunteer their time and money to help homeless animals.

By now, it’s easy to conclude that hsnt.org may be a useful source if you live in the North Texas area and want to focus your research on local animal shelters. But, you can’t hang your hat on just one source.

After browsing through several local animal shelter sites, you expand your search and click on the Web site for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): www.peta.org. The banner has a direct slogan: “Animals are not ours to experiment on, eat, wear, use for entertainment, or abuse in any other way.” That slogan provides some insight into the mission of the organization. The breadth and depth of information you find here is impressive: feature stories, news briefs, files on a series of animal cruelty issues, factsheets, blog posts, and a sizeable collection of videos. It is here, however, that a peculiar approach to presenting information becomes prominent, namely, the extensive use of celebrities to attract attention and (hopefully) advance the organization’s cause.

You might also notice that on this site a lot of effort is put into raising awareness about animal cruelty and stirring grassroots activism. You will find tips for activists, templates of correspondence to send to public officials, and news of upcoming events. Does that constitute a bias? Well, it definitely points to a well-shaped agenda, and you need to recognize that, whether you agree or disagree with the mission the site is promoting. With- out doubt, some of the material you come across can be considered controversial. Therefore, when you consider the question, “Are all the statements believable?” think not only about your own assessment of the material but also about what your audience may think. If your audience believes that some of the source material you choose to include in your paper is not believable, then your credibility will be damaged. After carefully evaluating PETA’s Web site, you will likely decide that while it contains some useful and credible information, you will need to use this site with care and ac- knowledge its agenda.

All information that you have discovered so far is valuable, but you know that to write a well-informed research paper, you’ll have to search further.

To succeed as a researcher, and ultimately a persuasive, credible writer, you have learned that you can’t fly solo—that, in fact, no one can go it alone. You will come to understand that strong, well-defended arguments need support, just as, for instance, most singers need a solid back-up band. And like any good front person, you should audition and choose carefully those who will stand behind you. In other words, interrogate those sources. Ask the tough questions. If you do so, you can resist the charges of loaded language, recognize when sources tug at your heartstrings, and leave unreliable statements behind.

This chapter has taken you step-by-step through the process of how to critically evaluate your sources. With practice, this type of thinking will become a natural part of your approach to both assigned reading and re- search material as well to what’s outside the classroom. And the more critical you are in your reading and research, the more it will become a part of how you view the world, be it in the classroom, online, or virtually every- where. This ability to encounter the world with a critical eye is a valuable tool, one that allows you to more fully engage with it. And your capacity for determining credibility can help you make informed decisions in your writing, work, and life.

Works Cited

Teacher resources for assessing source credibility for crafting a well- informed argument by kate warrington, natasha kovalyova, and cindy king, overview and teaching strategies.

This essay is ideally taught in preparation for collecting sources for research writing and provides a nice scaffold for students who have already engaged in some critical reading assignments or reading responses prior to being assigned a research writing assignment. The flow of activities was designed to support students in introductory composition, although the topic of source evaluation fits well at all levels, across the curriculum. Recognizing a widespread practice among college students to Google their topics, we have found it critical to introduce students to some concrete ways to evaluate all types of sources since we’ve found it to be unlikely (and impractical) to prohibit the use of Web sources.

• How, if at all, do sources dealing with certain subjects and/or arguments call for a more rigorous scrutiny of credibility? For example, do those that are emotionally charged demand a closer look? Do sources in highly specialized fields require you to scrutinize the structure of their arguments more carefully?
• To what extent should you consider an author’s credentials when determining his or her knowledge of the field, and ultimately the credibility of the source? When, for example, might a source writ- ten by a layperson be as valuable as one by an expert in the field? How might you compare, for instance, an article on juvenile delinquency written by a legislator to one produced by a social psychologist? How might you treat a book written by a physician who is also a TV personality?
• Do certain subjects, purposes, and audiences allow for a less critical evaluation of bias? How, specifically, might you determine when sources use emotional appeals without bias?
• What further challenges do Internet sources pose when it comes to gauging their credibility? How, for example, can you evaluate credibility when a Web site’s content comes from an indeterminate source or multiple authors?
• In what situations, if any, might you disregard credibility of a source? If a source lacks credibility according to your examination through critical reading, does it always mean you shouldn’t use it? How, if at all, might you use a source that lacks credibility in your essay?

The following are two class activities that can help students put to action the advice and steps for critical reading discussed in the essay.

Critical Reading Practice

To get students more comfortable with reading academic writing, have them practice these skills in small groups in a low-stakes environment. Hand out a short scholarly source (3 to 5 pages) on an accessible topic and give them time in class to read it. Then divide them into small groups and ask them to apply the seven questions presented in the essay to this source. Once they have done so, they present to the class their recommendation about whether the source is credible, and if they would or wouldn’t use it in their research paper. These presentations typically generate a vibrant class discussion.

Web source Evaluation Practice

Since most students feel comfortable using the popular Internet to find sources for their research, offer them an opportunity to work through credibility of Internet sources during small group work in class. Ask each small group to choose a topic (it can be a topic they plan to work with for their research paper) and conduct an Internet search for sources on that topic. Once they have located a source that they believe looks like it has good information, ask them to locate basic information like the author/ sponsoring organization and publication date. In many cases, this information will be difficult to locate, which not only helps them to prepare for the challenges they may face citing Internet sources, but also helps them to take a second look at the credibility of Internet sources.

This essay was written by Kate Warrington, Natasha Kovalyova, and Cindy King, and it was published as a chapter in Writing Spaces: Readings on Writing , Volume 3, a peer-reviewed open textbook series for the writing classroom. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) .

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17 Evaluating Sources

The process of finding and evaluating sources is inextricably intertwined. As researchers search for sources to advance their research, they must also evaluate the credibility of those sources, whether they are found in a library database or on the Internet.

These techniques are used in both English Composition courses.  They are most often used in English 102 because that course centers around research.  However, there are also opportunities for research in English 101 with the argument essay, so we are looking at the CRAAP test and the process of evaluating resources in English 101.

This video will help you learn how to choose sources that are credible enough for an academic audience using the CRAAP test.

Click here to see the Prezi used in the video.

What Might be a More Credible, Reliable Source?

Why is it wise to avoid unreliable sources.

Information from unreliable sources is not always true, up-to-date, or accurate. Using unreliable sources in an academic paper can weaken the credibility of the writer, dilute the writer’s argument, and detract from the overall strength of the paper.

What kind of sources should be avoided?

While the Internet provides a plethora of information on almost any topic imaginable, not all of its content can be trusted. Students should be cautiously selective while doing research and avoid sources that may contain unreliable information:

• Popular and collective websites (ask.com, about.com, WebMD.com, etc.): Websites such as these provide articles and information that has been collected from other sources that may not be reliable. While the sponsors of these sites usually employ writers who research the topics, citations for the sources of the data are not always provided.
• Wikipedia: Wikipedia is an online open-source encyclopedia, which means that it can be edited by anyone. While the information on the site is audited by a Wikipedia editor, the information found there may or may not be correct or current.
• Source material based solely on opinion: While material that conveys opinions and beliefs may have some validity, reliable sources that back up the opinion or belief with facts and trustworthy information should also be sought. If the opinion piece does not include data from reliable sources, a writer may choose not to include it as a source.

Note: Some sources, such as Wikipedia, provide a works cited list or reference list. Some of the cited works could be reliable, but checking the original source and interpreting the information yourself provides the opportunity to confirm its validity.

Where are credible, reliable sources found?

• Academic databases: These databases, such as Academic Search Premier and JSTOR, include searchable collections of scholarly works, academic journals, online encyclopedias, and helpful bibliographies and can usually be accessed through a college library website.
• Academic peer-reviewed journals: Journal articles that have been peer-reviewed are generally considered reliable because they have been examined by experts in the field for accuracy and quality.
• Google scholar: This Internet search engine helps the user to locate scholarly literature in the form of articles and books, professional societies’ websites, online academic websites, and more.
• Library reference or research desk: Library staff can provide useful services, such as assistance with the use of library research tools, guidance with identifying credible and non-credible sources, and selection of reliable sources.

All three of the articles below are about the same topic (online dating,) but each is written at a very different “level.” When you choose sources for an academic paper, you must ensure they are at the right level for your audience. Most college courses expect “medium” or “high” level sources. Some courses will expect you to use only “high” level sources.

Scan each article and read the first few paragraphs to determine what “level” is indicated.

Is the information at a low level? (brief, simple, easy to understand, often superficial)

Medium? (somewhere in the middle)

or a high level? (longer, more complex language/sentence structure, more evidence focused)

Click here to see article #1 

Click here to see article #2

Click here to see article #3

Watch this video to see how you did and learn more about how to evaluate a source’s level:

Is your source enough of an authority on the topic?

We decided the LA Times article about online dating was a Medium level source and the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication was a High-level source.

Revisit these same articles and decide which source has a higher level of authority.

LA Times 

Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication 

To determine this, you should search for information on both the authors and the periodicals themselves.

Typically the periodical provides information about the author via a hotlink or a byline near the author’s name.

Most periodicals have links to an “about us” page, or you can find their “about us” page by using Google.

Write down things you find that suggest you can trust this periodical or author. Then decide which has a higher level of credibility to write about this topic.

Watch this video to see how you did and learn more about how to evaluate Authority.

Licenses and Attribution

• Using Research to Support Scholarly Writing  by Matthew Bloom, Christine Jones, Cameron MacElvee, Jeffrey Sanger, and Lori Walk is licensed under a  Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.
• “What is CRAAP testing?”  by  Jeff Sanger  is licensed under  CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
• “What Might be a More Credible, Reliable Source?”  is licensed under  CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
• “Is your source at the right level for an academic audience?” by  Jeff Sanger  is licensed under  CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
• “Is your source enough of an authority on the topic?” by  Jeff Sanger  is licensed under  CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

English 101: Journey Into Open Copyright © 2021 by Christine Jones is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Library & Learning Commons

• Search for sources
• APA style guide

How to do Research for College Assignments

• Evaluate Your Sources
• Introduction to the Research Process
• Choose & Develop Your Research Topic
• Search Library Resources
• Use & Cite Your Sources This link opens in a new window

Library Handouts & Guides:

• Is it Scholarly & Peer-Reviewed?
• Introduction to Health Sciences Literature: Evidence-Based Practice & Types of Scholarly Articles
• Using the CRAAP Test to Evaluate Websites
• Primary, Secondary & Tertiary Sources

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What is Source Evaluation?

Source evaluation is the process of critically evaluating information in relation to a given purpose in order to determine if it is appropriate for the intended use.

Why Evaluate Sources?

        •  Instructors expect students to use scholarly sources: using better sources often results in better grades!

        •  Information can be out-of-date, inaccurate, and even purposely misleading (such as propaganda) 

        •  Some forms of information, such as websites, allow anyone to contribute content or exist only to sell products or ads by generating traffic

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• The CRAAP Test
• Scholarly & Popular Sources

All information, especially online content, needs critical scrutiny. Use the CRAAP test to evaluate and determine the credibility and reliability of a source:

Use the chart below to apply the CRAAP test to websites and other information sources:

This video tutorial explains how to differentiate between popular and scholarly sources and demonstrates how to use them correctly in your research and course assignments. Need help searching for and identifying peer-reviewed journal articles? Go to the  How to Find Scholarly, Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles guide

Use the chart below to differentiate between scholarly/academic, trade/professional, and popular mainstream sources:

When conducting research, the ability to distinguish between primary, secondary and tertiary sources is a very useful skill:

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A publication of the harvard college writing program.

Harvard Guide to Using Sources 

• The Honor Code

A Source's Role in Your Paper

When you begin to draft your paper, you will need to decide what role each of your sources will play in your argument. In other words, you will need to figure out what you're going to do with the source in your paper. As you consider what role each source will play in your paper, you should begin by thinking about the role that source played in your research process. How did the source shape your thinking about the topic when you encountered it? If a source provided you with context for a particular problem or issue, then it may well do the same thing for your reader. If a source provided you with evidence that supports your claim, then you will probably want to lay out that evidence to your reader and explain how it leads you to the position you've staked out in your paper. If a source made an argument that challenged your own argument and made you refine your thinking, then you'll likely want to introduce that source in your paper as a counterargument before explaining why you have concluded that your own argument is stronger. On the other hand, if a source offered evidence or ideas that complicated your own thinking and made you shift your argument, you should explain how the source has led you to your new position.

Some assignments will ask you to respond in a specific way to a source. For example, you might be asked to test a theory developed in one source by using a body of evidence found in another source. Or you might be asked to respond to a claim or assumption laid out in a particular source. Other assignments may specify the number of sources you should use, but will not include instructions on how you should use those sources.

Here are some common roles that sources can play in your argument:

• Provide primary evidence : a source can serve as the main object of your analysis, or offer evidence that has not yet been analyzed by others.
• Establish what’s at stake : a source can present or highlight a problem, question or issue that provides a “so what” for your essay.
• Serve as a lens : a source can offer a theory or concept that gives you a framework or focus for analyzing your evidence and building your argument.
• Provide key terms/concepts : a source offers a central concept or key term that you apply to your own argument.
• Provide context : a source can offer background (historical, cultural, etc.) that readers need to understand the argument you’re making or the issue you’re analyzing.
• Serve as a supporting expert : you want to offer a claim, and you cite a scholar or researcher who notices the same or similar idea, thereby supporting your claim.
• Advance your argument : a source provides a new insight that helps establish a main supporting claim to your overall argument; your use of that source should usually agree with and extend the idea or insight, demonstrating its application to your own analysis.
• Provide a complication or counterargument : a source introduces an idea or raises a question that presents a problem for your argument, or an objection to contend with; your response to that complication enriches and adds nuance to your discussion.
• Create a critical conversation : one source offers an idea that another source can respond to, sometimes in a very direct way (i.e. critic A explicitly disagrees with critic B), or by providing a different angle on or approach to the question (i.e. source A offers a new way of thinking about an idea raised in source B, a different "take" on the issue).
• Locating Sources
• Evaluating Sources
• Sources and Your Assignment
• A Source's Role in Your Paper
• Choosing Relevant Parts of a Source
• Summarizing, Paraphrasing, and Quoting
• The Nuts & Bolts of Integrating

PDFs for This Section

• Using sources
• Integrating Sources
• Online Library and Citation Tools

• Our Process

How To Evaluate Sources And Critically Appraise Literature

Published by Alvin Nicolas at December 29th, 2023 , Revised On February 5, 2024

As we navigate through a sea of data, it becomes crucial to understand the importance of source evaluation and its role in academia and research. 

Importance Of Source Evaluation

In a world where information can be easily disseminated across various platforms, the need to distinguish between trustworthy and unreliable sources is more pronounced than ever. The reliability of information directly influences the quality of research and the credibility of academic work. 

Source evaluation serves as a gatekeeper, allowing researchers to sift through the abundance of information, ensuring that only credible and authoritative sources contribute to the foundation of their work. By understanding the importance of source evaluation, individuals can safeguard the integrity of their research and contribute to establishing a robust knowledge base.

Purpose Of Critically Appraising Literature

Critically appraising literature review goes beyond merely accepting information at face value. It involves a systematic and analytical approach to evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of a piece of work. The purpose is twofold: firstly, to determine the reliability and validity of the information presented, and secondly, to assess the overall contribution of the literature to the field of study.

Researchers engage in critical appraisal to ensure that the sources they incorporate into their work align with the highest standards of academic rigour. This process enhances the credibility of their research and fosters a deeper understanding of the subject.

Critically appraising literature forms the cornerstone of scholarly work by instilling a sense of discernment in researchers, guiding them to select sources that align with the objectives of their study.

Moreover, as academic writing is inherently a dialogue with existing literature, critically appraising sources enables scholars to engage with diverse perspectives, identify gaps in current knowledge, and contribute meaningfully to their field.

Understanding Reliable Sources

In the vast ocean of information, not all sources are created equal. Analysing sources is essential for anyone engaged in academic research. 

Peer-Reviewed Journals

Peer-reviewed journals are scholarly publications that undergo a rigorous evaluation process before articles are accepted for publication. This process involves experts in the field critically assessing the submitted work’s research, methodology , and conclusions. The characteristics of peer-reviewed journals include:

• Scholarly Rigour: Articles are subjected to thorough scrutiny by peers who assess the validity of the research, methodology, and conclusions.
• Credibility: The peer-review process enhances the credibility of the published work, as it indicates that the research meets certain academic standards.
• Authority: Articles in peer-reviewed journals are often written by experts in the field, contributing to the authority and expertise of the publication.

Why Peer Review Matters

Peer review serves as a quality control mechanism in the academic world. It acts as a filter, ensuring that only high-quality and reliable research is disseminated. The significance of peer review lies in the following:

• Quality Assurance: Rigorous peer review helps maintain the overall quality of academic literature by identifying and rectifying flaws in research design, methodology, or interpretation.
• Filtering Unreliable Information: Peer review prevents the publication of unreliable or biased information, contributing to the integrity of the academic discourse.
• Building Trust: The peer-review process builds trust among researchers, scholars, and readers, assuring them that the information presented has undergone a thorough and impartial assessment.

Academic Publishers And Reputable Websites

When evaluating the reliability of academic publishers and websites, certain criteria can serve as reliable indicators of credibility:

• Editorial Board: Reputable publishers have distinguished scholars on their editorial boards, ensuring a commitment to academic excellence.
• Review Process: Transparent and stringent review processes contribute to the reliability of academic publishers, indicating a commitment to quality control.
• Indexing: Indexing in reputable databases and repositories, such as PubMed , Scopus , or Web of Science , is a positive sign of reliability.
• Journal Impact Factor: While not without controversy, the Journal Impact Factor can provide insights into the influence and reach of a publication.

Identifying Trustworthy Publishers

• Known Publishers: Stick to publishers with a recognised presence in the academic community. Established names often have a track record of maintaining high editorial standards.
• Peer Recommendations: Seek recommendations from peers and mentors regarding trustworthy publishers. Personal experiences and insights can be invaluable in guiding your choices.
• Online Reviews and Ratings: Explore online reviews and ratings for publishers and websites. While not foolproof, they can provide additional perspectives on the reputation and reliability of a source.

Criteria For Evaluating Sources

As researchers explore literature for their work, it is imperative to establish criteria for evaluating the credibility and relevance of sources. 

Author’s Credentials

The authority and reliability of a source are often directly linked to the expertise and credentials of its author. Researchers should pay close attention to the author’s qualifications, looking for:

• Educational Background: Assess the author’s academic qualifications and the institutions they are affiliated with. A strong educational background contributes to the author’s credibility.
• Professional Experience: Consider the author’s experience in the field. Practical experience can enhance the author’s understanding and perspective on the subject.
• Previous Publications: Review the author’s previous publications. A consistent body of reputable work is indicative of expertise in the field.

Affiliation And Academic Background

The author’s institutional affiliation is another crucial factor in determining the reliability of a source. Key considerations include:

• Reputable Institutions: Authors affiliated with well-known and reputable academic institutions often have access to rigorous academic environments, contributing to the reliability of their work.
• Research Centers and Laboratories: Affiliation with esteemed research centers or laboratories can bolster the credibility of the author’s research, indicating a commitment to high standards.

Publication Date And Relevance

The currency of a source is paramount, especially in fields where knowledge evolves rapidly. Understanding the importance of the publication date involves:

• Emerging Research: Recent publications are crucial for accessing the latest developments and insights in rapidly evolving fields.
• Outdated Information: Outdated information may lack relevance and may have been superseded by newer, more accurate research.

Relevance To The Research Topic

Evaluating the relevance of a source to the research topic ensures that the information contributes meaningfully to the study. Considerations include:

• Alignment with Research Objectives: The source should directly address or align with the objectives and focus of the research.
• Comprehensive Coverage: Ensure that the source comprehensively explores the topic, adding depth and context to the research.

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Step-By-Step Guide For Source Evaluation

Source evaluation is a critical step in the research process, ensuring that the information used is credible, reliable, and relevant. You should know where to search and how. Follow this step-by-step guide to evaluate sources for your research effectively:

Step 1: Clearly Define Your Research Question Or Topic

Before diving into source evaluation and developing a research strategy , ensure you clearly understand your research question or topic. This clarity will guide your criteria for source selection.

Step 2: Identify The Type Of Sources Needed

Determine the type of sources required for your research (e.g., scholarly articles, books, reputable websites). Different types of research may require different types of sources.

Step 3: Use Reputable Databases And Libraries

Start your search in reputable online databases and library catalogues. Examples include PubMed , JSTOR , Google Scholar , and your university library’s database.

Step 4: Assess The Authority And Expertise Of The Author

• Look for information about the author’s credentials, academic background, and expertise in the field.

Step 5: Check The Publication Date And Relevance

• Verify the source’s publication date to ensure its currency, especially in rapidly evolving fields.
• Evaluate the relevance of the source to your research question or topic.

Step 6: Examine The Research Design And Methodology

• Analyse the research design (experimental or observational) and methodology used in the study.
• Consider factors such as sample size, representativeness, and the validity/reliability of data collection and analysis methods.

Step 7: Look For Signs Of Authorial Bias

• Scrutinise the language and tone of the source for signs of authorial bias.
• Investigate the author’s background, affiliations, and any potential conflicts of interest.

Step 8: Check References And Cross-Reference Sources

• Examine the references cited in the source to ensure they are from reliable and credible sources.
• Cross-reference those references to explore additional insights and validate the reliability of the original source.

Step 9: Evaluate The Cited Works And Citation Patterns

• Analyse the frequency of citations for key works to identify seminal contributions.
• Assess the reputation of the cited works by checking for peer review, impact factors, and the credibility of the journals or publishers.

Step 10: Use Reference Management Tools

• Use reference management tools like EndNote , Mendeley , or Zotero to consistently organise and cite your sources.
• Ensure proper integration with your writing software to streamline the citation process .

Step 11: Check For Peer Review And Metrics

• If applicable, verify the peer review status of the source by checking platforms like PubMed Central or arXiv.
• Consider using metrics such as Journal Impact Factor, h-index, and citation counts to gauge the impact and influence of the source.

Step 12: Document Your Evaluation Process

• Keep detailed notes on your evaluation process, including the reasons for including or excluding a source from your research.
• Document the strengths and limitations of each source, ensuring transparency in your research methodology.

Step 13: Revise And Repeat

As your research progresses, revisit and revise your source evaluation. New sources may become available, and your research question may evolve.

Assessing Methodology And Research Design

Researchers must delve into the intricacies of a study’s methodology and research design in pursuing reliable and credible information. 

Research Design And Methodology

Experimental vs. observational studies.

• Experimental Studies: These studies involve manipulating variables to observe the effect on an outcome. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are a common form of experimental design. Researchers manipulate an independent variable and observe its impact on a dependent variable while controlling for other factors.
• Observational Studies: Observational studies, on the other hand, involve the observation and analysis of subjects in their natural environment. This design does not involve manipulation but relies on the researcher’s ability to conclude from the observed correlations.

Sample Size And Representativeness

• Sample Size: The size of the sample in a study is crucial. A larger sample size generally enhances the study’s statistical power, making the results more robust and generalisable.
• Representativeness: The sample should be representative of the population being studied. Biases can occur if the sample is not diverse or if certain groups are overrepresented or underrepresented.

Data Collection And Analysis

Validity and reliability.

• Validity: Validity assesses the accuracy and soundness of the research instrument or tool. Researchers need to ensure that the data collected accurately measures what it intends to measure. Types of validity include content validity, construct validity, and external validity.
• Reliability: Reliability refers to the consistency and stability of the research instrument. Reliable instruments produce consistent results when used under the same conditions.

Statistical Methods Used

• Appropriate Statistical Techniques: Statistical methods should align with the research design and the nature of the data. Common statistical methods include regression analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and t-tests.
• Transparency in Analysis: Researchers should provide transparency in their data analysis, including detailing the statistical tests used, assumptions made, and any adjustments for multiple comparisons.

Bias And Objectivity

Knowledge of literature and research requires a keen awareness of potential biases that can influence the credibility and objectivity of information. 

Identifying Bias In Literature

Here are the different types of bias that may exist in literature. 

Authorial Bias

Authorial bias refers to the personal opinions, values, or perspectives of the author that may influence the presentation and interpretation of information. Identifying authorial bias involves:

• Analysing Language and Tone: Pay attention to the language used by the author. Loaded terms, emotionally charged language, or value-laden statements may indicate bias.
• Examining Background and Affiliation: Consider the author’s background, affiliations, and any potential conflicts of interest that might sway their perspective.

Publication Bias

Publication bias occurs when the nature and direction of the findings influence the selective publication of research results. To identify publication bias:

• Check for Unpublished Studies: Assess if there might be unpublished studies with contrasting results. The absence of negative or inconclusive findings in published literature can indicate publication bias.
• Consider Study Designs: Be mindful of the types of studies that are more likely to be published. Positive results or studies with statistically significant findings may be more readily accepted for publication.

Ensuring Objectivity In Research

Neutral language and tone.

• Avoiding Loaded Language: Researchers should strive for neutrality in their language. Avoiding emotionally charged terms and maintaining a neutral tone fosters an objective presentation of information.
• Precision in Expression: Clearly articulate the research findings without overstatement or understatement. Precision in expression contributes to the credibility of the research.

Balancing Perspectives

• Consider Multiple Viewpoints: Acknowledge and address alternative viewpoints or conflicting evidence in the research. A well-rounded discussion demonstrates a commitment to objectivity.
• Citing Diverse Sources: Support arguments and claims with diverse sources, encompassing various perspectives. This demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the subject.

Cross-Referencing And Citation Analysis

As researchers aim to build upon existing knowledge, the practice of cross-referencing and citation analysis becomes a valuable tool for ensuring the reliability and depth of their work. 

Checking References For Reliability

• Follow the Trail: Carefully examine the references cited in a source. Following this trail allows researchers to verify the reliability and credibility of the sources used in the original work.
• Evaluate the Quality of References: Assess the quality of the references by considering the reputation of the journals, publishers, and authors. High-quality references contribute to the overall reliability of the work.

Exploring Cited Sources For Additional Insights

• Depth of Understanding: Delve into the sources cited by the author to gain a deeper understanding of the topic. This practice enhances the comprehensiveness of the research by incorporating insights from a broader range of perspectives.
• Identify Supporting Evidence: Exploring cited sources may reveal additional evidence or data that can strengthen the arguments presented in the original work.

Analysing Citation Patterns

Frequency of citations.

• Identify Key Works: Analyse the frequency with which certain works are cited. Key works that are frequently referenced in the literature may indicate foundational or seminal contributions to the field.
• Recent vs. Classic Citations: Assess the balance between recent and classic citations. A well-rounded bibliography that includes both recent and foundational works contributes to the robustness of the research.

Reputation Of Cited Works

• Check for Peer Review: Verify if the cited works have undergone peer review. Peer-reviewed articles and books are generally more reliable and credible.
• Consider Impact Factor: Assess the impact factor of the journals where the cited works are published. Journals with higher impact factors often publish influential and widely cited research.

Tools And Resources For Source Evaluation

In the digital age, researchers have access to many tools and resources that facilitate the source evaluation process. 

• Comprehensive Search: Online databases such as PubMed, JSTOR, and IEEE Xplore provide researchers with a vast repository of scholarly articles, books, and conference papers. These databases enable comprehensive searches that ensure researchers do not miss critical contributions to their field.
• Access to Specialised Collections: Libraries offer access to specialised collections and databases that focus on specific disciplines. This allows researchers to explore niche topics and access information tailored to their research needs.

Reference Management Tools

• EndNote, Mendeley, Zotero: Reference management tools like EndNote, Mendeley, and Zotero assist researchers in organising, storing, and citing sources efficiently. These tools streamline the citation process, reducing the risk of errors and saving valuable time.
• Integration with Writing Software: Many reference management tools seamlessly integrate with writing software, allowing researchers to insert citations and generate bibliographies effortlessly. This integration ensures consistency and accuracy in citation styles.
• PubMed Central, arXiv, SSRN: Platforms like PubMed Central, arXiv, and the Social Science Research Network (SSRN) provide access to preprints and peer-reviewed articles. Understanding the peer review status of an article is crucial for evaluating its credibility.
• Peer Review Metrics: Some databases and journals provide metrics related to the peer review process. Metrics like time to publication, reviewer comments, and acceptance rates offer insights into the thoroughness and efficiency of the peer review conducted by a particular journal.

Gauging Impact And Influence

• Journal Impact Factor: The Journal Impact Factor (JIF) is a metric that reflects the average number of citations a journal’s articles receive. While controversial, it can clearly indicate a journal’s influence.
• h-Index and Citation Counts: Researchers can evaluate the impact of individual scholars using metrics like the h-index and total citation counts. These metrics quantitatively measure a researcher’s influence in the academic community.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you critically evaluate a source in a literature review.

To critically evaluate a source in a literature review, scrutinise the author’s credibility, assess the research methodology for rigor, examine potential biases, verify publication date and relevance, and cross-reference cited works. Ensure the source aligns with your research question, contributing substantively to the scholarly discourse.

How do you critically appraise literature?

Critically appraising literature involves assessing the author’s expertise, scrutinising research design and methodology for validity, identifying biases, evaluating the currency and relevance of sources, and cross-referencing cited works. This rigorous examination ensures the reliability and credibility of literature, contributing to informed and evidence-based research.

What is critical evaluation in English literature?

Critical evaluation in English literature involves analysing literary works with a discerning and objective approach. It includes assessing themes, characters, narrative techniques, and cultural contexts. This process requires an in-depth understanding of literary elements and the ability to form informed opinions, contributing to a nuanced interpretation of literary texts.

What is critical evaluation of sources?

Critical evaluation of sources involves assessing the credibility, reliability, and relevance of information. It includes scrutinising author qualifications, research methodology, potential biases, and publication details. This rigorous analysis ensures that only trustworthy sources are incorporated into research, contributing to the overall quality and validity of scholarly work.

What is the difference between evaluate and critically evaluate?

“Evaluate” typically involves forming an opinion and making judgments about something. “Critically evaluate” goes a step further, requiring an in-depth analysis, consideration of strengths and weaknesses, and a nuanced understanding. It implies a more thorough and discerning assessment, often involving scrutiny and exploration of multiple perspectives.

What is the difference between critical and evaluation?

“Critical” implies a thorough and discerning analysis, involving an in-depth examination of various aspects and potential biases. “Evaluation” is a broader term, encompassing the process of forming opinions and making judgments. “Critical evaluation” denotes a rigorous and meticulous assessment, often involving a more nuanced understanding and scrutiny of multiple perspectives.

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Critically Appraised Topic-Summary of best evidence on a specific clinical question, guiding evidence-based decision-making in healthcare.

Looking for a guide on how to develop a search strategy for a literature review? Learn from this blog using advanced search techniques.

A systematic review rigorously synthesises research studies on a topic, following a structured process to assess and summarise evidence.

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• Incorporating Evaluation

How to incorporate evaluation in essay writing

Your evaluation of sources should ultimately be seamlessly incorporated into your academic writing.

Since your evaluation of sources is based upon what you found in your analysis , a number of analytical and evaluation skills should appear in each paragraph you write, alongside quotes from sources .

A simple way to do this is to introduce a quote by using some analysis or evaluation. Some helpful tips for how to do this can be found on the IOP CAM article .

Here are some examples for how you can incorporate evaluation of reliability and usefulness into your essay sentences that include a range of analysis skills :

However, it is not always necessary to incorporate a quote into your analysis and evaluation of a source. This is especially true when you can interpret the overall theme or message of a source. In this manner, you can demonstrate analysis and evaluation without relying on a direct quote.

Below is an example body paragraph from an essay, showing the range of analysis and evaluation skills:

Martin Luther King Jr. considered the 1963 Birmingham Campaign a necessity because of the harsh treatment of the African-American community. In mid-1962, King and other officials from the SCLC conceived ‘Project C’, which used the non-violent protest strategies of sit-ins, boycotts and daily marches, to draw public attention to the heavy-handed, and often violent, responses by the police. King’s justifications for this approach are explained in a telegram which he sent to President Kennedy in 1962 , in which he stated that a “reign of terror is still alive in Birmingham Alabama [and] it is by far the worst big city in race relations in the United States” (King, 1962, 1). His reasons are explained further the following year , in a letter which King wrote while in jail in Birmingham following his arrest for taking part in the protests . In it, the civil rights leader argued that the protests were necessary since the city authorities left the African-American community with no alternative (King, 1963, 2). As this document was written with the expressed purpose of explaining the causes of the Birmingham Campaign , it is a particularly reliable record of King’s justifications for the event. As is clearly seen in these two sources, both written by King himself, he saw Project C as a vital step in gaining full rights for the citizens of the city. Therefore, King was convinced that the 1963 Birmingham Campaign was a direct result of the unjust treatment suffered by the African Americans in Birmingham.

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7 Steps for How to Write an Evaluation Essay (Example & Template)

In this ultimate guide, I will explain to you exactly how to write an evaluation essay.

1. What is an Evaluation Essay?

An evaluation essay should provide a critical analysis of something.

You’re literally ‘evaluating’ the thing you’re looking up.

Here’s a couple of quick definitions of what we mean by ‘evaluate’:

• Merriam-Webster defines evaluation as: “to determine the significance, worth, or condition of usually by careful appraisal and study”
• Collins Dictionary says: “If you evaluate something or someone, you consider them in order to make a judgment about them, for example about how good or bad they are.”

Here’s some synonyms for ‘evaluate’:

So, we could say that an evaluation essay should carefully examine the ‘thing’ and provide an overall judgement of it.

Here’s some common things you may be asked to write an evaluation essay on:

This is by no means an exhaustive list. Really, you can evaluate just about anything!

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2. How to write an Evaluation Essay

There are two secrets to writing a strong evaluation essay. The first is to aim for objective analysis before forming an opinion. The second is to use an evaluation criteria.

Aim to Appear Objective before giving an Evaluation Argument

Your evaluation will eventually need an argument.

The evaluation argument will show your reader what you have decided is the final value of the ‘thing’ you’re evaluating.

But in order to convince your reader that your evaluative argument is sound, you need to do some leg work.

The aim will be to show that you have provided a balanced and fair assessment before coming to your conclusion.

In order to appear balanced you should:

• Discuss both the pros and cons of the thing
• Discuss both the strengths and weaknesses of the thing
• Look at the thing from multiple different perspectives
• Be both positive and critical. Don’t make it look like you’re biased towards one perspective.

In other words, give every perspective a fair hearing.

You don’t want to sound like a propagandist. You want to be seen as a fair and balanced adjudicator.

Use an Evaluation Criteria

One way to appear balanced is to use an evaluation criteria.

An evaluation criteria helps to show that you have assessed the ‘thing’ based on an objective measure.

Here’s some examples of evaluation criteria:

• Strength under pressure
• Longevity (ability to survive for a long time)
• Ease of use
• Ability to get the job done
• Friendliness
• Punctuality
• Ability to predict my needs
• Calmness under pressure
• Attentiveness

A Bed and Breakfast

• Breakfast options
• Taste of food
• Comfort of bed
• Local attractions
• Service from owner
• Cleanliness

We can use evaluation criteria to frame out ability to conduct the analysis fairly.

This is especially true for if you have to evaluate multiple different ‘things’. For example, if you’re evaluating three novels, you want to be able to show that you applied the same ‘test’ on all three books!

This will show that you gave each ‘thing’ a fair chance and looked at the same elements for each.

3. How to come up with an Evaluation Argument

After you have:

• Looked at both good and bad elements of the ‘thing’, and
• Used an evaluation criteria

You’ll then need to develop an evaluative argument. This argument shows your own overall perspective on the ‘thing’.

Remember, you will need to show your final evaluative argument is backed by objective analysis. You need to do it in order!

Analyze first. Evaluate second.

Here’s an example.

Let’s say you’re evaluating the quality of a meal.

You might say:

• A strength of the meal was its presentation. It was well presented and looked enticing to eat.
• A weakness of the meal was that it was overcooked. This decreased its flavor.
• The meal was given a low rating on ‘cost’ because it was more expensive than the other comparative meals on the menu.
• The meal was given a high rating on ‘creativity’. It was a meal that involved a thoughtful and inventive mix of ingredients.

Now that you’ve looked at some pros and cons and measured the meal based on a few criteria points (like cost and creativity), you’ll be able to come up with a final argument:

• Overall, the meal was good enough for a middle-tier restaurant but would not be considered a high-class meal. There is a lot of room for improvement if the chef wants to win any local cooking awards.

Evaluative terms that you might want to use for this final evaluation argument might include:

• All things considered
• With all key points in mind

4. Evaluation Essay Outline (with Examples)

Okay, so now you know what to do, let’s have a go at creating an outline for your evaluation essay!

Here’s what I recommend:

4.1 How to Write your Introduction

In the introduction, feel free to use my 5-Step INTRO method . It’ll be an introduction just like any other essay introduction .

And yes, feel free to explain what the final evaluation will be.

So, here it is laid out nice and simple.

Write one sentence for each point to make a 5-sentence introduction:

• Interest: Make a statement about the ‘thing’ you’re evaluating that you think will be of interest to the reader. Make it a catchy, engaging point that draws the reader in!
• Notify: Notify the reader of any background info on the thing you’re evaluating. This is your chance to show your depth of knowledge. What is a historical fact about the ‘thing’?
• Translate: Re-state the essay question. For an evaluative essay, you can re-state it something like: “This essay evaluates the book/ product/ article/ etc. by looking at its strengths and weaknesses and compares it against a marking criteria”.
• Report: Say what your final evaluation will be. For example you can say “While there are some weaknesses in this book, overall this evaluative essay will show that it helps progress knowledge about Dinosaurs.”
• Outline: Simply give a clear overview of what will be discussed. For example, you can say: “Firstly, the essay will evaluate the product based on an objective criteria. This criteria will include its value for money, fit for purpose and ease of use. Next, the essay will show the main strengths and weaknesses of the product. Lastly, the essay will provide a final evaluative statement about the product’s overall value and worth.”

If you want more depth on how to use the INTRO method, you’ll need to go and check out our blog post on writing quality introductions.

4.2 Example Introduction

This example introduction is for the essay question: Write an Evaluation Essay on Facebook’s Impact on Society.

“Facebook is the third most visited website in the world. It was founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg in his college dorm. This essay evaluates the impact of Facebook on society and makes an objective judgement on its value. The essay will argue that Facebook has changed the world both for the better and worse. Firstly, it will give an overview of what Facebook is and its history. Then, it will examine Facebook on the criteria of: impact on social interactions, impact on the media landscape, and impact on politics.”

You’ll notice that each sentence in this introduction follows my 5-Step INTRO formula to create a clear, coherent 5-Step introduction.

4.3 How to Write your Body Paragraphs

The first body paragraph should give an overview of the ‘thing’ being evaluated.

Then, you should evaluate the pros and cons of the ‘thing’ being evaluated based upon the criteria you have developed for evaluating it.

Let’s take a look below.

4.4 First Body Paragraph: Overview of your Subject

This first paragraph should provide objective overview of your subject’s properties and history. You should not be doing any evaluating just yet.

The goal for this first paragraph is to ensure your reader knows what it is you’re evaluating. Secondarily, it should show your marker that you have developed some good knowledge about it.

If you need to use more than one paragraph to give an overview of the subject, that’s fine.

Similarly, if your essay word length needs to be quite long, feel free to spend several paragraphs exploring the subject’s background and objective details to show off your depth of knowledge for the marker.

4.5 First Body Paragraph Example

Sticking with the essay question: Write an Evaluation Essay on Facebook’s Impact on Society , this might be your paragraph:

“Facebook has been one of the most successful websites of all time. It is the website that dominated the ‘Web 2.0’ revolution, which was characterized by user two-way interaction with the web. Facebook allowed users to create their own personal profiles and invite their friends to follow along. Since 2004, Facebook has attracted more than one billion people to create profiles in order to share their opinions and keep in touch with their friends.”

Notice here that I haven’t yet made any evaluations of Facebook’s merits?

This first paragraph (or, if need be, several of them) should be all about showing the reader exactly what your subject is – no more, no less.

4.6 Evaluation Paragraphs: Second, Third, Forth and Fifth Body Paragraphs

Once you’re confident your reader will know what the subject that you’re evaluating is, you’ll need to move on to the actual evaluation.

For this step, you’ll need to dig up that evaluation criteria we talked about in Point 2.

For example, let’s say you’re evaluating a President of the United States.

Your evaluation criteria might be:

• Impact on world history
• Ability to pass legislation
• Popularity with voters
• Morals and ethics
• Ability to change lives for the better

Really, you could make up any evaluation criteria you want!

Once you’ve made up the evaluation criteria, you’ve got your evaluation paragraph ideas!

Simply turn each point in your evaluation criteria into a full paragraph.

How do you do this?

Well, start with a topic sentence.

For the criteria point ‘Impact on world history’ you can say something like: “Barack Obama’s impact on world history is mixed.”

This topic sentence will show that you’ll evaluate both pros and cons of Obama’s impact on world history in the paragraph.

Then, follow it up with explanations.

“While Obama campaigned to withdraw troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, he was unable to completely achieve this objective. This is an obvious negative for his impact on the world. However, as the first black man to lead the most powerful nation on earth, he will forever be remembered as a living milestone for civil rights and progress.”

Keep going, turning each evaluation criteria into a full paragraph.

4.7 Evaluation Paragraph Example

Let’s go back to our essay question: Write an Evaluation Essay on Facebook’s Impact on Society .

I’ve decided to use the evaluation criteria below:

• impact on social interactions;
• impact on the media landscape;
• impact on politics

Naturally, I’m going to write one paragraph for each point.

If you’re expected to write a longer piece, you could write two paragraphs on each point (one for pros and one for cons).

Here’s what my first evaluation paragraph might look like:

“Facebook has had a profound impact on social interactions. It has helped people to stay in touch with one another from long distances and after they have left school and college. This is obviously a great positive. However, it can also be seen as having a negative impact. For example, people may be less likely to interact face-to-face because they are ‘hanging out’ online instead. This can have negative impact on genuine one-to-one relationships.”

You might notice that this paragraph has a topic sentence, explanations and examples. It follows my perfect paragraph formula which you’re more than welcome to check out!

4.8 How to write your Conclusion

To conclude, you’ll need to come up with one final evaluative argument.

This evaluation argument provides an overall assessment. You can start with “Overall, Facebook has been…” and continue by saying that (all things considered) he was a good or bad president!

Remember, you can only come up with an overall evaluation after you’ve looked at the subject’s pros and cons based upon your evaluation criteria.

In the example below, I’m going to use my 5 C’s conclusion paragraph method . This will make sure my conclusion covers all the things a good conclusion should cover!

Like the INTRO method, the 5 C’s conclusion method should have one sentence for each point to create a 5 sentence conclusion paragraph.

The 5 C’s conclusion method is:

• Close the loop: Return to a statement you made in the introduction.
• Conclude: Show what your final position is.
• Clarify: Clarify how your final position is relevant to the Essay Question.
• Concern: Explain who should be concerned by your findings.
• Consequences: End by noting in one final, engaging sentence why this topic is of such importance. The ‘concern’ and ‘consequences’ sentences can be combined

4.9 Concluding Argument Example Paragraph

Here’s a possible concluding argument for our essay question: Write an Evaluation Essay on Facebook’s Impact on Society .

“The introduction of this essay highlighted that Facebook has had a profound impact on society. This evaluation essay has shown that this impact has been both positive and negative. Thus, it is too soon to say whether Facebook has been an overall positive or negative for society. However, people should pay close attention to this issue because it is possible that Facebook is contributing to the undermining of truth in media and positive interpersonal relationships.”

Note here that I’ve followed the 5 C’s conclusion method for my concluding evaluative argument paragraph.

5. Evaluation Essay Example Template

Below is a template you can use for your evaluation essay , based upon the advice I gave in Section 4:

6. 23+ Good Evaluation Essay Topics

Okay now that you know how to write an evaluation essay, let’s look at a few examples.

For each example I’m going to give you an evaluation essay title idea, plus a list of criteria you might want to use in your evaluation essay.

6.1 Evaluation of Impact

• Evaluate the impact of global warming on the great barrier reef. Recommended evaluation criteria: Level of bleaching; Impact on tourism; Economic impact; Impact on lifestyles; Impact on sealife
• Evaluate the impact of the Global Financial Crisis on poverty. Recommended evaluation criteria: Impact on jobs; Impact on childhood poverty; Impact on mental health rates; Impact on economic growth; Impact on the wealthy; Global impact
• Evaluate the impact of having children on your lifestyle. Recommended evaluation criteria: Impact on spare time; Impact on finances; Impact on happiness; Impact on sense of wellbeing
• Evaluate the impact of the internet on the world. Recommended evaluation criteria: Impact on connectedness; Impact on dating; Impact on business integration; Impact on globalization; Impact on media
• Evaluate the impact of public transportation on cities. Recommended evaluation criteria: Impact on cost of living; Impact on congestion; Impact on quality of life; Impact on health; Impact on economy
• Evaluate the impact of universal healthcare on quality of life. Recommended evaluation criteria: Impact on reducing disease rates; Impact on the poorest in society; Impact on life expectancy; Impact on happiness
• Evaluate the impact of getting a college degree on a person’s life. Recommended evaluation criteria: Impact on debt levels; Impact on career prospects; Impact on life perspectives; Impact on relationships

6.2 Evaluation of a Scholarly Text or Theory

• Evaluate a Textbook. Recommended evaluation criteria: clarity of explanations; relevance to a course; value for money; practical advice; depth and detail; breadth of information
• Evaluate a Lecture Series, Podcast or Guest Lecture. Recommended evaluation criteria: clarity of speaker; engagement of attendees; appropriateness of content; value for monet
• Evaluate a journal article. Recommended evaluation criteria: length; clarity; quality of methodology; quality of literature review ; relevance of findings for real life
• Evaluate a Famous Scientists. Recommended evaluation criteria: contribution to scientific knowledge; impact on health and prosperity of humankind; controversies and disagreements with other scientists.
• Evaluate a Theory. Recommended evaluation criteria: contribution to knowledge; reliability or accuracy; impact on the lives of ordinary people; controversies and contradictions with other theories.

6.3 Evaluation of Art and Literature

• Evaluate a Novel. Recommended evaluation criteria: plot complexity; moral or social value of the message; character development; relevance to modern life
• Evaluate a Play. Recommended evaluation criteria: plot complexity; quality of acting; moral or social value of the message; character development; relevance to modern life
• Evaluate a Film. Recommended evaluation criteria: plot complexity; quality of acting; moral or social value of the message; character development; relevance to modern life
• Evaluate an Artwork. Recommended evaluation criteria: impact on art theory; moral or social message; complexity or quality of composition

6.4 Evaluation of a Product or Service

• Evaluate a Hotel or Bed and Breakfast. Recommended evaluation criteria: quality of service; flexibility of check-in and check-out times; cleanliness; location; value for money; wi-fi strength; noise levels at night; quality of meals; value for money
• Evaluate a Restaurant. Recommended evaluation criteria: quality of service; menu choices; cleanliness; atmosphere; taste; value for money.
• Evaluate a Car. Recommended evaluation criteria: fuel efficiency; value for money; build quality; likelihood to break down; comfort.
• Evaluate a House. Recommended evaluation criteria: value for money; build quality; roominess; location; access to public transport; quality of neighbourhood
• Evaluate a Doctor. Recommended evaluation criteria: Quality of service; knowledge; quality of equipment; reputation; value for money.
• Evaluate a Course. Recommended evaluation criteria: value for money; practical advice; quality of teaching; quality of resources provided.

7. Concluding Advice

Evaluation essays are common in high school, college and university.

The trick for getting good marks in an evaluation essay is to show you have looked at both the pros and cons before making a final evaluation analysis statement.

You don’t want to look biased.

That’s why it’s a good idea to use an objective evaluation criteria, and to be generous in looking at both positives and negatives of your subject.

Read Also: 39 Better Ways to Write ‘In Conclusion’ in an Essay

I recommend you use the evaluation template provided in this post to write your evaluation essay. However, if your teacher has given you a template, of course use theirs instead! You always want to follow your teacher’s advice because they’re the person who will be marking your work.

Good luck with your evaluation essay!

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 5 Top Tips for Succeeding at University
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 50 Durable Goods Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 100 Consumer Goods Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 30 Globalization Pros and Cons

2 thoughts on “7 Steps for How to Write an Evaluation Essay (Example & Template)”

What an amazing article. I am returning to studying after several years and was struggling with how to present an evaluative essay. This article has simplified the process and provided me with the confidence to tackle my subject (theoretical approaches to development and management of teams).

I just wanted to ask whether the evaluation criteria has to be supported by evidence or can it just be a list of criteria that you think of yourself to objectively measure?

Many many thanks for writing this!

Usually we would want to see evidence, but ask your teacher for what they’re looking for as they may allow you, depending on the situation.

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Evaluation Essay

Evaluation Essay - Definition, Examples, and Writing Tips

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Are you unsure about what it takes to evaluate things from your perspective in an evaluation essay?

If you’re having a hard time understanding how to present a balanced assessment of the subject, worry not!  We are here to help you get through the evaluation essay writing process.

In this blog, you will learn all about evaluation essays. From the definition, writing process, topics, tips, and a lot more, you’ll learn how to write an evaluation essay effortlessly!  

Continue reading to get a better idea.

• 1. What is an Evaluation Essay?
• 2. Evaluation Essay Structure
• 3. How to Start an Evaluation Essay?
• 4. How to Write an Evaluation Essay?
• 5. How to Format Your Evaluation Essay?
• 6. Evaluation Essay Examples
• 7. Evaluation Essay Topics For College Students
• 8. Evaluation Essay vs. Review

What is an Evaluation Essay?

Let’s first understand the evaluation essay meaning, here is the standard definition:

An evaluation essay offers a value judgment or an opinion of something. It presents an overall view of a particular subject’s quality. Moreover, it provides a critical analysis and a complete evaluation of something.

What is the Purpose of an Evaluation Essay?

The main purpose of an evaluation essay is to present an opinion and evaluate a topic critically. This type of writing determines the condition, worth, or significance by careful appraisal and study.  

This essay features the writer’s opinion, but when done correctly, it does not sound opinionated. Instead, it provides the facts and evidence to justify the opinions about the essay’s subject.

To write a good evaluation essay, you need to master critical evaluation and present the evaluation in an unbiased manner. You may also discuss both the pros and cons of the subject.

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Evaluation Essay Structure

The four different ways to format and organize the evaluation essay are as follows.

1. Chronological Structure

It is a sequential organization that could be used for evaluating historical or current events. It tells how something works and assesses the effectiveness of a mechanism, procedure, or process.

2. Spatial Structure

The spatial organization structure is used for evaluating or describing art or architecture. Here, you will define one element of the artifact and spatially move to the next. 

3. Compare and Contrast Structure

The compare and contrast structure is used to evaluate or review the culinary or music genre. Here the writer evaluates a subject by comprising and contrasting it with the known subject.

4. Point-by-Point Structure

The point-by-point structure is also used for culinary and music reviews. But, in this structure, you describe one element and then evaluate it, describe the second element and evaluate it, and so on.

After setting the criteria and collecting evidence for strengthening your judgment, you’ll start your evaluation essay. Let’s see what are the steps involved in starting an evaluation essay.

How to Start an Evaluation Essay?

When you start writing an evaluation essay, grabbing the reader’s attention is essential. For this, hook the reader from the beginning until the end to ensure that your essay’s opening follows an engaging tone. 

Step 1. Choose an Interesting Topic

Deciding the topic and evaluation essay criteria is important. Make sure it's not just compelling and interesting, but also informative so that you can find enough material for a detailed evaluation. 

Step 2. Set the Evaluation Essay Criteria

For an evaluation essay, you have to set the criteria for evaluation first. Criteria are the standards or measures by which someone assesses the quality or value of the subject. 

Some key points to establish the criteria are:

• Identifying relevant aspects that relate to the subject 
• Defining the criteria clearly so that it is specific and understandable for readers
• Your criteria should be directly relevant to the nature of the subject
• Always consider the audience’s expectations and standards while setting the criteria
• Your thesis statement should always align with your evaluation criteria

Step 3. Collect Evidence for Your Judgment

The author’s judgment of the subject states whether the subject is good or bad. It is an overall assessment or the opinion supported by the evidence. The judgment corresponds to the benchmarks set by the author in the essay criteria. 

The evidence is a combination of supporting data and facts. Using the evidence, the author demonstrates how well the subject meets the judgment. The evidence serves as the foundation of your evaluation. 

Without providing strong and accurate evidence, you will not be able to convince the readers of your judgment. 

Step 4. Decide the Essay Structure

After that, decide on the structure that you want to follow. It can be a chronological or point-by-point structure

Step 5. Craft the Essay Outline

When you create an essay outline , evaluate what should be added and removed. If you skip this step before writing, you may lose track of what to include in your essay while you write.   

So, writing an outline for your evaluation essay is a critical step that eases your writing journey. 

Here is a sample evaluation essay outline:

Step 6. Declare Your Thesis Statement

For an evaluation essay that keeps the reader hooked from the start, opt for a catchy thesis statement . The thesis should state the main point of the evaluation. 

In the thesis statement, you should always express your stance on the subject clearly. In doing so, the readers will have a clear idea about the purpose and direction of your essay. 

Now, understand how to write an evaluation essay by following the detailed procedure mentioned below.

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How to Write an Evaluation Essay?

Here is a step-by-step guide for you to write an evaluation essay.

Step 1. Write the Introduction

The introduction is the first impression your readers will have of you, so it's crucial to make a good one. It should capture attention and excite readers, drawing them into what you have to say about this topic. 

The following are the elements that you should consider while writing the introduction:

• Start with an interesting hook statement so that you can get the reader’s attention.
• Provide background information about the topic for the reader to understand the subject
• Establish the evaluation essay thesis statement. It sets out the overall purpose of the evaluation, so make sure it is apparent and to the point

Read this evaluation essay introduction example, and you’ll understand exactly what to pen down in yours:

Step 2. Draft the Body Section

The body of the essay consists of three paragraphs. Each paragraph holds different ideas related to one another and flows smoothly from start to finish, just like how a good story should be told.

Here are the important points that must be included in the body paragraphs.

• Start with the topic sentence that presents your judgment about the topic
• Present the supporting evidence to back up the topic sentence and your viewpoint.
• Present a balanced evaluative argument to show impartiality
• Compare and contrast the subject to another subject to show the strengths and weaknesses
• Present the evaluation from multiple perspectives, while being both positive and critical
• Always use transition words between your paragraphs to ensure a smooth and coherent flow for the reader. 

Step 3. Write the Conclusion

It is the final chance to convince your reader to agree with your point of view. You’re supposed to summarize and conclude the essay. In the conclusion , you present your final evaluation of the essay. 

Keep in mind the following aspects while writing a closing paragraph of an evaluation essay. 

• Summarize the points and evaluative arguments that you made in the body section.
• Justify your thesis statement.
• Provide a concrete and secure conclusion to your argument by ultimately leaving the reader convinced by your evaluation.

Step 4. Proofread, Revise, and Edit

The final step is proofreading and editing. Always spend enough time reading your essay carefully. It will help you catch the unintentional mistakes you have made and recover them. If needed, you can also revise your essay 2–3 times.

How to Format Your Evaluation Essay?

For formatting your evaluation essay, follow the standard academic writing guidelines. You can opt for different formatting styles like APA, MLA, or Chicago. 

In general, you should stick to the below formatting guidelines: 

Font and Size:

• Use a legible font such as Times New Roman or Arial.
• Choose a standard font size, often 12-point.
• Set one-inch margins on all sides of the paper.
• Double-space the entire essay, including the title, headings, and body paragraphs.
• Create a title for your essay that reflects the subject and purpose of the evaluation.
• Center the title on the page.
• Use title case (capitalize the first letter of each major word).
• Include a header with your last name and page number in the top right corner.
• Follow the format “Last Name Page Number” (e.g., “Smith 1”).

Citations (if applicable):

• Include citations for any sources used in your evaluation.
• Follow the citation style specified by your instructor or the required style guide (APA, MLA, Chicago).

Counterargument (if included):

• Clearly label and present any counterargument.
• Provide a well-reasoned response to the counterargument.

References or Works Cited Page (if applicable):

• Include a separate page for references or a works cited page if your essay includes citations.
• List all sources in the appropriate citation style.

Well, the time has come to look at some great evaluation essay examples. Getting help from sample essays is always a great way to perfect your evaluation papers.

Evaluation Essay Examples

Evaluation can be written on any topic, i.e., book, movie, music, etc. Below, we have given some evaluation essay examples for students: 

Evaluation Essay Sample PDF

Movie Evaluation Essay Example

Critical evaluation Essay Example PDF

Product Evaluation Essay PDF

Source Evaluation Essay Example PDF

Employee Self-Evaluation Essay Example

How to Start A Self-Evaluation Essay Example PDF

Evaluation Essay Topics For College Students

For writing an amazing evaluation essay, the first thing that you require is an essay topic.  Here are some incredible topic ideas for college students. You can use or mold them according to your preference. 

• Artificial intelligence's impact on society: A double-edged sword?
• Evaluate the online teaching and on-campus teaching styles
• Analyze and evaluate the Real Madrid football team and their performance
• Is media a threat to cultural cohesion or a source of enrichment?
• Compare and evaluate recorded music and live performance
• Evaluate how a university's football team impacts students' personalities
• Critically evaluate a remake of an original movie you have watched recently
• Analyze how the roles of females and males changed in recent romantic movies
• Evaluate your favorite restaurant, its food, aroma, and everything
• Critically evaluate gender disparities in college majors and career choices.

Evaluation Essay vs. Review

At first glance, an evaluation essay might look like a review. But, there are some notable differences between them. See this table to see how both pieces of writing differ from each other.

To conclude, 

After reading the step-by-step guide and examples, you must have learned the art of writing a good evaluation essay. We’re confident that you’re now able to provide a balanced and effective evaluation of the topics you choose for your essay.

But writing a perfect essay is not that simple; you require a lot of practice and experience to become a good writer. That is why we are here to help you write any type of academic essay. 

MyPerfectWords.com is a professional essay writing service that offers help for all academic writing assignments. We have a team of professional writers who are experts in writing all types of essays and evaluation papers. 

So what are you waiting for? Let us handle your evaluation essay worries and have a sigh of relief! 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what are the four components of an evaluation essay.

The four components of an evaluation essay are:

• Introduction
• Background information

2. What are the 4 types of evaluation?

The four types of evaluation are:

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Dr. Barbara is a highly experienced writer and author who holds a Ph.D. degree in public health from an Ivy League school. She has worked in the medical field for many years, conducting extensive research on various health topics. Her writing has been featured in several top-tier publications.

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