Using Sources in Research
Why credible sources?
Source Evaluation To determine is a source is credible, there are five key questions to ask yourself: 1. Is the author of the source an authority on the subject? 2. Is the purpose of the source clear? 3. Is the source Objective? Is there bias or persuasion? 4. Is the source Accurate? Is it fact? Is it opinion? Is it correct? 5. Is the source Current or still relevant? Some other questions that you will want to consider are: - Does the author or institution have contact information? - If it is a website, in what domain is the website? - Writing style of the source: Are there misspellings, or grammar errors? - Is the design professional and organized? - Does the information agree with other sources? |
Citing Sources in a Paper or Speech
Citing sources correctly is one of the most important tasks a researcher has because it establishes credibility.
With in text citations, be sure to properly use whichever format your teacher requires, APA or MLA. For format help see the links below in Citation Resources.
Don't forget to cite sources in a presentation or a speech in addition to the Works Cited. For example, one might state, "According to the Environmental Encyclopedia article titled Green Products from 2018, the Body Shop was one of the first international companies to exclusively promote green products." In this case the opening phrase of the statement is the citation of where the information was acquired.
Citing sources correctly is one of the most important tasks a researcher has because it establishes credibility.
With in text citations, be sure to properly use whichever format your teacher requires, APA or MLA. For format help see the links below in Citation Resources.
Don't forget to cite sources in a presentation or a speech in addition to the Works Cited. For example, one might state, "According to the Environmental Encyclopedia article titled Green Products from 2018, the Body Shop was one of the first international companies to exclusively promote green products." In this case the opening phrase of the statement is the citation of where the information was acquired.
Citation Resources
There are a few resources for you to use when citing sources. They are listed below. Always remember that it is your responsibility as the researcher to cite any source that you use from a text to a photograph or video. The purpose of a citation in a Works Cited (MLA) page or a Bibliography (APA) is for the reader of your research to be able to follow up and learn more about the topic. It also adds credibility to your research.
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers: found in the library at 808.027 MLA or many classroom teachers have MLA handbooks in their classrooms.
The APA manual is located in the library at 808 A. See Mr. Gross or Mr. Page for help in finding the resource.
Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab: Click the Link Here
Library of Congress Primary Sources MLA guide: Click the Link Here
There are a few resources for you to use when citing sources. They are listed below. Always remember that it is your responsibility as the researcher to cite any source that you use from a text to a photograph or video. The purpose of a citation in a Works Cited (MLA) page or a Bibliography (APA) is for the reader of your research to be able to follow up and learn more about the topic. It also adds credibility to your research.
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers: found in the library at 808.027 MLA or many classroom teachers have MLA handbooks in their classrooms.
The APA manual is located in the library at 808 A. See Mr. Gross or Mr. Page for help in finding the resource.
Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab: Click the Link Here
Library of Congress Primary Sources MLA guide: Click the Link Here
Last Update: 2/15/22