How Do I Determine Which Sources Are Appropriate?

Evaluate your sources to determine whether sources such as books, articles, and videos are relevant and appropriate for your research. While you begin to search for sources, you will notice that not all sources have the same credibility. It is important to be able to apply The SIFT Method to your own research. 

Scholarly, Trade, and Popular Periodicals

Periodicals are print sources, such as magazines, newspapers, and journals. They are published in intervals, usually weekly, monthly, or quarterly. Periodicals come in a variety of mediums, but not all will be appropriate for your own research. To understand what will be most appropriate, you will need to understand the difference between a scholarly journal and a popular magazine. 

Scholarly journals — contain articles written by professionals in the field. The articles may be original research or an extension of previous research, illustrated with graphs or tables and have a list of references at the end. The language will be more technical and intended for specific audiences or researchers. Articles submitted to a scholarly journal have been through the peer review process. Examples are American Journal of Psychiatry, New England Journal of Medicine, and Review of Education Research. 

Trade journals/magazines - provide information on a particular trade or industry. The authors will be named, but do not require credentials. The language is generally more simple, but provides detailed information for a specific audience. Articles will include graphics and may have tables or graphs. There are few cited sources and bibliographies. There is no formal peer review process, but it may be fact-checked. Examples are Architect, Trade Finance, and Biztech. 

Popular magazines — do not provide in-depth details in their articles about research studies. Authors may or may not be named. There may be illustrations or charts, but sources may not be cited or presented in a bibliography. The language is informal and intended for a broad audience. Examples are Times, Forbes, and Entertainment Weekly. 

Website Evaluation

Applying The SIFT Method to a website will help with the evaluation process. Make sure to look for additional proof of value in websites. Some hoax sites look very credible until viewed with a critical eye. 

  • Mission/vision/purpose statement — Reveals purpose of the website and point of view. 
  • Credentials — A well-regarded sponsoring organization or an expert author. Some web page content may not list an author.
  • Date of last revision — This reveals how recently the content of a website has been reviewed. Some websites may not even offer a date of creation. 
  • Contact information — Is there a physical address and telephone number you can use to contact a real person with questions? 
  • Links — Do other reputable websites link to the website? Does it link to other reputable sites? 

Need Additional Help?

If you need additional help, research specialists with the University Libraries can help you with:

  • Finding the best sources
  • Searching tips and tricks
  • Navigating databases
  • Citing sources
  • And much more!

We’re available to help via chat & email or you can schedule an appointment with a librarian (in-person or Zoom). Walk-ins are also welcome in L-200 at the Circulation Desk or Reference Desk on the 2nd floor.