Evaluate sources

Not every source is equally useful or trustworthy. Before you use information in your work, pause and ask questions about where it came from, why it was created and whether it is supported by evidence.

A good researcher does not just find information—they check it.

Use the SOURCE check

Ask these questions whenever you find a website, video, article, post, image or AI response.

Who created it?

Look for the author, organisation or publisher.

Ask:

• Is the author named?

• What knowledge or experience do they have?

• Is the organisation trustworthy?

• Can I find an “About” page or contact information?

A museum, university, library, government organisation or well-known news organisation may be useful. However, you should still check the information carefully.

What evidence does it use?

Reliable sources show where their information comes from.

Look for:

• Facts, data, examples or expert quotations.

• Links to original sources.

• A bibliography, reference list or list of further reading.

• Evidence that supports the main claims.

Be careful if a source makes a strong claim but gives no evidence.

Is it current?

Some topics change quickly, especially news, science, technology, health, politics and statistics.

Check:

• When was the source published?

• When was it last updated?

• Does it include current information?

• Is an older source still useful for your question?

An older source can be useful for history, literature or background information. It may not be useful for current events or recent data.

Why was it created?

Every source has a purpose.

It may aim to:

• Inform

• Teach

• Entertain

• Persuade

• Sell something

• Raise money

• Share an opinion

Ask: Who benefits if I believe or share this information?

A source that is trying to sell, shock or persuade may still contain useful information, but you should check its claims especially carefully.

Look for bias and different perspectives

Bias is a viewpoint that can influence how information is selected or presented. Everyone has perspectives, including authors, organisations and AI tools.

Ask:

• Whose point of view is included?

• Whose point of view may be missing?

• Does the source use emotional or unfair language?

• Does it present one side as completely right or wrong?

• Can I find another reliable source with a different perspective?

Use more than one source when researching an issue. Comparing sources helps you form your own informed view.

Check websites

Before using a website, look beyond the first paragraph or headline.

Check:

• The author or organisation.

• The date.

• The evidence and links.

• The purpose of the site.

• The web address.

A website ending in .gov, .edu or .org is not automatically reliable. Check who is responsible for the site and what evidence they provide.

Check AI-generated information

AI tools can be useful for explaining ideas or suggesting places to start. However, they can also make mistakes, leave out important information, repeat bias or invent sources.

When using AI:

• Treat its response as a starting point, not as proof.

• Check important claims using reliable sources.

• Open and read every source it suggests.

• Never use a citation that you have not checked yourself.

• Look for missing perspectives and information.

• Ask your teacher or librarian if you are unsure.

A quick example

You find a social-media post claiming that a country has banned plastic bottles.

Before using it, you could:

1. Find out who posted it.

2. Check when it was posted.

3. Look for a government announcement or reliable news report.

4. Compare at least two trustworthy sources.

5. Use the original source or reliable report in your research.

Before you use a source

Ask yourself:

• Do I know who created this?

• Can I find evidence for its claims?

• Is the information current enough for my question?

• Do I understand why it was created?

• Have I considered bias or missing perspectives?

• Can I confirm the information using another reliable source?

• Would I feel confident explaining why I trust it?

If the answer is “no” or “I’m not sure,” do more checking—or ask the librarian for help.