Evaluating online sourcesEvaluating online sources

Remember CARS

CARSCARS

Not the cars from the popular Disney movie.

Not the sporty ones you dream about owning.

A method to evaluate whether or not a print or online source is worth research.

CARSCARS

Credibility Accuracy Reasonableness Support

CredibilityCredibility

Who is the author and publisher? Are the author and publishers

authoritative – are they “experts” in the field they are writing about?

What are their credentials in relation to the topic they are discussing?

This is particularly important with online sources as anyone can post a site or blog to the Internet.

AccuracyAccuracy

How up-to-date is the author’s information (check publishing dates)?

How comprehensive is the work – does it cover all or most of the important details?

For what type of audience was the work written? (children, scholars, anyone)

What is the author’s purpose?

ReasonablenessReasonableness

Author’s purpose is also important in determining reasonableness.

How biased and slanted is the author? What is the author’s worldview (religious

views, political views, philosophies about life)?

Is the author fair and looking at all sides of an argument (the author does not have to agree with all sides, but should acknowledge it).

SupportSupport

What documentation does the author have for his/her claims?

Are their sources listed (these can often point you towards other research sources)?

Do other authors and sources speak highly of the author and his/her research and writing?

CARSCARS This becomes important too when

evaluating your own final writing. Credibility – Are you writing from your own

point of view and using your own argument? Accuracy – Are you presenting the whole

truth with up to date information? Reasonableness – Are you looking at the

sides objectively before making a final conclusion?

Support - Are your points backed up with data and details?

Remember CARSRemember CARS

To move full speed ahead to writing a successful research essay