Skip to Main Content

Climate Change: Evaluate Sources

Evaluating Information

To get the most out of this section, have a source (such as an article or website) ready to evaluate as you follow along.

As you evaluate a source, ask yourself several key questions. Click the + on the image below and use the tabs at the box top to explore each one.

Viewing on a mobile device? Show/Hide Infographic Text or click on the tabs above.

Look for information about the author and the college, university, or organization they might be connected with. Many academic journal articles will include this near the beginning of the article.

Screenshot of article heading with title, author names, and author affiliations: Mapping Out Climate Change; Eva Lipiec; College of Earch, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences

Who is the author or creator of this information?   

  • Are they experts on the subject?
  • Do they have an obvious bias? 
  • Do they represent some organizations?

Who is the organization behind the information? 

  • A political think-tank?
  • A university? A non-profit?
  • A government agency? 
  • A corporation? 
  • No one but the author?
  • Who funded the research?

Who is the intended audience? 

  • The general public?
  • College students?
  • Scholars or experts?
  • People with the author's political beliefs?

What kind of source is it?   

  • Is it a scholarly journal article?
  • A website from a government agency?
  • Is it fact-based or opinion-based?

Reading Scholarly Material: 1. Start by reading the title and abstract; 2. Read the introduction; 3. Skip to the conclusion for a broad look back; 4. Look at the literature review; 5. Review the methods section; 6. Look at the citations; 7. Read the results and discussion

What evidence or support is provided?

  • Does the author cite their sources?
  • Do you have enough information to verify the claims being made?

What is the author’s main claim? 

  • Does it relate to your own thesis or argument?

What is the author’s point of view?

  • Do they state this clearly, or maintain a more neutral position, and does it matter?
  • Do they acknowledge multiple perspectives respectfully?

When was the source published or created?

  • Is your topic in an area that requires current information (such as science, technology, or current events)?  What time period is covered in the source? 
  • Is it critical that you use the most current information, and does your source reflect that?  
  • Could information found in older sources still be useful and valid? 

When was the source's information gathered or last verified?  

  • Are the references up to date? Do the links work? 
  • Is the information in this source still accurate? 

What geographical area is addressed in the source?

  • Does that fit the focus of your topic or research question?  

Where did you access the source?  

  • Was it through MC Library’s resources? Which one(s)? 
  • If not obtained through the MC Library, does it still meet all requirements for your assignment?

How does this source relate to what others are saying, doing, or thinking in the academic world?

  • What field(s) of study is the source focused upon? 
  • What are some different perspectives on this topic, and how does this source fit with these? 
  • Is this source part of a larger debate or discussion ? 

Why does this information exist?

  • Is the purpose to educate or inform?
  • Is it to persuade, sell, or entertain?
  • Is the purpose stated or disguised?

Image with text and pictures of computer screens on a light blue background. Text reads: What is Lateral Reading? Lateral reading is when you look outside of your source to seek additional information about a source's credibility, reputation, funding sources, and biases. Computer 1: unfamiliar source, Computer 2: New browser tab, Computer 3: Info. about source

Why has the information been presented this way?

  • Did the author choose a peer-reviewed journal because of the high quality of their research?
  • A magazine or newspaper to inform the general public?
  • Did they choose a blog or web page because the content is more informal?
  • Is it a trade journal to inform professionals in the field?

Why has the author included the sources they have cited?

  • Do they provide evidence to support the author's claim?
  • Do they show more than one perspective?
  • Does the author argue against any of the sources they reference?

How can this source help with your assignment?

  • Does it give background information that helps you understand your topic?  
  • Is it an opposing view that you can use as a counter-argument? 
  • Is it a source of statistics or useful data? 

How does this source compare to others?

  • Does it answer your question or support your argument?  
  • Does it add new and important ideas to your understanding of the topic? 

How is the content in the source presented or written?

  • Are there spelling, grammatical, or other stylistic problems? 
  • Is it too simple or too complicated for what you need? 

How was this source reviewed?

  • Was it peer-reviewed, approved by an editor, or reviewed in some other way?

Evaluate Sources

"Evaluate Sources." Stack of folders.

To ensure the quality of your research, think critically about whether the sources you selected are credible, reliable, and relevant for your research goal. 

Consider the evaluation tips on this page, and assess each article, book, website, or other source that you find.

Subjects: Climate Change