Evaluating Sources

Evaluating Sources Reflection

While writing this essay I developed a much better ability to differentiate between credible and non-credible sources. Prior to this assignment, I had always believed that any .edu, .org or .gov website was automatically a reliable resource. Although this is usually the case, I have discovered that it is still important to check the credentials of the authors and contributors to all articles, as well as ensure that the resources they used in their research are also credible.

When speaking with my friends, I will definitely advise them to pay attention to the spelling and grammar within an article. Even if the site looks official, the content may still be unreliable. Also, it is important to look at the date articles were published; depending on the relevance, the information can easily be outdated and useless. Lastly, I would recommend avoiding the use of sites with .com URL's because these sites are often biased and focused on selling a product rather than providing factual information.

When searching for my source, I started by simply googling, "Climate change". This search provided me with several websites regarding the topic, however, none that were one-hundred percent credible sources. I then specified that I only desired sites containing .edu or .gov. This is when the search engine provided me with several sites originating from NASA. Considering that NASA is a scientific government organization that specializes in the study of Earth and it's atmosphere and environment (as well as surrounding celestial bodies), I decided that this was the most credible source I could find. Upon further investigation, I found that all information provided could be backed up by other credible sources, and the authors of the website belonged to the Earth Science team and regularly updates the site with new information. When searching for information, it is important to narrow your outcomes by providing specific characteristics you want in a website (ex. only .edu or .gov). This is what helps me most when trying to find credible resources, and will also help me cite sources and develop bibliographies.

Again, while completing this assignment I learned a lot about evaluating sources. There are many criteria that help determine if a source is credible, and many of them can be noticed within the first five minutes of opening a website. Always check the background of the author, their resources, the date the article was published and pay attention to spelling and grammar.