Evaluating Sources

Not everything you read or hear is true. Evaluating sources means checking if information is reliable and trustworthy. This is an important skill in a world full of information. Good researchers always check their sources before believing or sharing something.

How to Check a Source

Ask yourself who wrote this and are they an expert. Check if the source gives evidence for its claims. Look at the date to see if the information is up to date. See if other reliable sources say the same thing. If a website has lots of ads and no author listed, it might not be trustworthy.

Good vs. Bad Sources

Encyclopedias, textbooks, and government websites are usually reliable sources. Personal blogs and social media posts may not be checked for accuracy. Books by experts in a subject are usually trustworthy. When in doubt, ask a teacher or librarian for help finding good sources.

Fun Facts

• Librarians are trained experts at evaluating sources and can help you find reliable information.
• The word source comes from a Latin word meaning to rise, like water rising from a spring.
• Fact-checking websites help people verify whether news stories are true.

Did You Know?

Anyone can publish information on the internet, which is why evaluating sources is more important now than ever before.