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re·li·a·ble [/rəˈlīəb(ə)l/]
consistently good in quality or performance; able to be trusted.
Unreliable [ uhn-ri-lahy-uh-buhl ]
not reliable; not to be relied or depended on.
(source: dictionary.com)
Three Major Methods to Determine Reliable Sources
5 W Questions (5Ws): This method means thinking critically about each of your sources by answering five questions to determine if the source is credible/reliable. The acceptable answers to these questions will vary depending on your needs. The questions are:
Who is the author? (Authority)
What is the purpose of the content? (Accuracy)
Where is the content from? (Publisher)
Why does the source exist? (Purpose and Objectivity)
How does this source compare to others? (Determining What’s What)
SMART Check: This method is particularly good at evaluating newspaper sources. Like the 5Ws method it also involves answering critical questions about your source. The criteria are:
Source: Who or what is the source?
Motive: Why do they say what they do?
Authority: Who wrote the story?
Review: Is there anything included that jumps out as potentially untrue?
Two-Source Test: How does it compare to another source?
CRAAP Test: This method provides you with a set of criteria that make a source more or less credible. The criteria are:
Currency: Timeliness of the information
Relevance: Importance of the information for your needs
Authority: Source of the information
Accuracy: Truthfulness and correctness of the information
Purpose: Reason the information exists
(source: University of Washington Library)
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