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Evaluating Sources

If you close one eye, the world looks like a flat picture. When you look through both eyes, everything suddenly takes on depth and perspective.

The same thing happens with research. If you base your ideas on a single source, you won’t have much perspective. If, instead, you consult multiple sources, your ideas will have depth.

You should also evaluate each source to determine how reliable it is. Ask yourself these questions:

Is the source primary or secondary?

Firsthand information from a primary source is often more trustworthy than secondhand accounts, simply because there are fewer people between you and the facts. A secondary source may give you biased information, including certain details and excluding others.

Is the source an expert?

An expert is someone regarded as an authority on a certain subject. (Note, however, that an expert on one topic is not necessarily an expert on others.) If you aren’t sure about someone’s expertise on a subject, ask your teacher, a parent or guardian, or your librarian for advice.