ENVS Research Guide (Environmental Science)

When choosing sources for your research, use the criteria below to determine which sources are good enough to make the CUT!

CURRENT

• When was the information published, posted, or revised?
• Is the information current or out-of-date for your topic?

USEFUL

• Does the source help you understand the problem/issue you are researching?
• Does it contain information that will help you build an argument?
• Who is the intended audience? (Is the source too basic or too advanced for your needs?)

TRUSTWORTHY

• Who is the author/publisher/source? Do they have expertise or experience that qualifies them as an authority on this particular topic?
  • Examples of authority: subject expertise (e.g., someone who does scholarly research in the area), societal position (e.g., public office), or special experience (e.g., participating in a historic event).
• Do you agree with the way the author drew his/her conclusions?
• Does the author cite their sources? Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?