To write content doesn’t mean nothing if you don’t add specific sources within it. Sources whose the sole purpose is to improve your audience’s understanding of a topic. That said, are the information sources you provide in your content credible ? From your viewpoint and that of your public.
In other words, what makes a source credible ?
Let’s dig into the question and try to find out some relevant answer you could use for improving your next content. But before that, I’d like to take a look at the benefits of associating reliable sources to your content.
Why add reliable sources to your content ?
It seems obvious that content you would have written and in which you would have cited several reliable sources of information would give your readers the opportunity to learn more about the subject you are presenting to them. And the quality of your sources would make your content and you more credible. You would appear more authoritative.
In clean words, to add reliable sources to your content allows you to :
- Add value to your research work while respecting author’s rights
- Develop your research expertise
- Demonstrate a sense of professional ethics
- Make it easy for the reader to find the sources
Yet, it all depends on what credible source means.
You may think it is primarily a subjective opinion, right ?! You would be surprised to know that there are actually several factors that determine the quality and credibility of an information source.
What makes a source reliable ?
To be able to dissect whether a source is credible or not, you first need to know there is not one type of source of information only. Actually there are 3, and each one of them provides more or less accurate information.
- Primary sources : One calls primary sources, ones that communicate original research and opinion. A new viewpoint if you prefer.
- Secondary sources : They provide analysis, discussion or review of primary materials.
- Tertiary sources : Those are the less accurate ones. They provide a much broader view of a topic. You can consider them as a summary of the first 2.
Finally, let’s focus on how you can ensure yourself the sources of information you add to your content are credible and make you credible as well.
To be honest, there are several ways to analyse the reliability of a source. But, in my opinion, it won’t be necessary that I present all of them to you. So I’ll just focus on the 2 frameworks I consider the most relevant.
The 5 questions framework
To determine the credibility or reliability of your sources, this approach involves critically analyzing each source using five questions. The acceptable responses to these questions may differ depending on your requirements. The following are the questions:
- Who is the author?
- What is the purpose of the content?
- Where is the content from?
- Why does the source exist?
- How does this source compare to others?
The in-depth framework
- Accuracy : Consider the level of detail provided in the information. While a completely reliable source may exist, it may only provide a surface-level overview of critical information. To establish connections between the data and your topic, a more comprehensive understanding of the information is frequently required.
- Authority : Consider the author’s credentials: Are they qualified in the relevant field with a degree? Are they associated with an impartial and reputable organization? Keep in mind that scholarly articles typically have multiple authors.
- Biais : Assess for bias in the information you’re utilizing. If present, determine whether it impacts the research’s conclusions. Is the source of information affiliated with a party that may benefit from a specific viewpoint? If that’s the case, the information may not be trustworthy. Additionally, evaluate whether the source employs proper citation methods.
- Purpose : What is the purpose of the source? Is it to entertain, to change public opinion, to present research, or to teach? Who is the intended audience?.
- Currency : When was the information written and how current is it? For certain assignments, particularly in the sciences, research within the last five to ten years is often necessary.
- Documentation : The source should provide citations or references to support the information presented.
- Plagiarism: The source should not be plagiarized, and any information used from other sources
By utilizing these five criteria, you can streamline a vast array of sources into the specific information required for your work. This approach will increase the credibility of your writing and guide you towards more precise conclusions.
In summary
Verifying the credibility of online sources can pose a significant challenge, particularly because many lack identifiable authors or publication dates, making it harder to determine their motivations.
Unlike academic journals or books, websites are not subjected to peer-review or editing processes and can be published by anyone at any time.
To assess the credibility of a website, start by examining the URL. The domain extension can provide insight into the website’s nature.
When assessing sources, be on the lookout for vague terms, buzzwords, or overly emotive or subjective language. Be wary of extravagant claims, and scrutinize anything lacking supporting evidence.
While social media posts, blogs, and personal websites may offer useful insights for situational analysis or initial idea formulation, exercise caution. Such sources are typically highly personal and subjective and may not be sufficiently reliable for inclusion in your final research product.
Similarly, Wikipedia is not deemed a credible source, given that it can be edited by anyone at any time. Nonetheless, it can be a useful starting point for obtaining general information and identifying other sources.