In short
- Check who wrote it and whether they know the subject.
- Check where it was published, and whether it was reviewed.
- Check it is recent enough, and that its evidence is there to see.
- Check it answers your question, not just your topic.
Markers notice the sources before they read the argument. A reference list of blog posts and undated web pages suggests the research was rushed, even if the writing is good. Judging each source takes a few minutes, and it also tells you how to use it.
This lesson is part of step 3, find and save sources.
Five questions for any source
A common way to remember these is CRAAP: Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy and Purpose.
Is it recent enough? (Currency)
Find the date. Does your brief set a range? Has the field moved on since? A classic study can still matter, but say so.
Does it answer your question? (Relevance)
Read the abstract or introduction. A source about your topic in general is less useful than one about your actual question.
Who wrote it? (Authority)
A named author, with expertise you can check: a researcher, an organisation known for the subject. Look at the publisher too: an academic journal or press, a government body, a reputable outlet.
Can you check it? (Accuracy)
Is the evidence shown: data, methods, references? Was it peer reviewed? Do other good sources agree, or does it stand alone?
Why was it written? (Purpose)
To inform, to persuade or to sell? A report by a group with an interest in the result can still be useful, but treat it as one side.
A quick comparison
| Source | Usually | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Peer-reviewed journal article | Strong | Evidence and research findings |
| Book from an academic publisher | Strong | Theory, background and key arguments |
| Government or official report | Strong for facts | Statistics, policy and guidance |
| Reputable news outlet | Fine in context | Recent events, examples and reactions |
| Blog, forum or opinion piece | Weak | Rarely; only as an example of a view |
Weighing, not just picking
Judging a source isn’t only yes or no. Higher marks often go to essays that say how strong the evidence is: “a large study, but only in one country”, or “an older study, though later work agrees”. Note one strength and one limit for each main source while you read, and the evaluation is half written.
Common mistakes
- Citing the news report, not the study. Find the original and cite that.
- Judging by the first search result. Ranking is not quality. Check every source the same way.
- Only using sources that agree with you. A balanced essay deals with the evidence on the other side too.
Keep your judgement with the source
- You forget why a source was good, or where it fell short. Each source keeps Notes and quotes: note its strength and its limit there, with page numbers. Free
- The brief sets limits, like a date range or a number of academic sources. Link the board’s Sources stack with your Peel project, and Peel checks each source against the brief’s limits. Peel, free
For your level
GCSE and A level
Textbooks, reputable websites and named experts are a good base. For the EPQ, aim for some academic sources and say why you trust each one.
University
Most of your sources should be academic, and most markers expect peer-reviewed work. Check your reading list first: those are already judged for you.
Dissertations
Evaluating sources is part of the literature review. Compare studies’ methods and samples, and say where the evidence is strong, thin or in conflict.
Questions
What makes a source reliable?
A clear author with relevant expertise, a trustworthy publisher, evidence you can check, and a date recent enough for your topic. Peer-reviewed journal articles and books from academic publishers usually meet these; most blogs and opinion pieces don’t.
Can I use Wikipedia?
Usually not as a source to cite, because anyone can edit it and the author isn’t known. It can be a good starting point: read the article, then follow its references to the original sources.
Can I use news articles?
Yes, for recent events, public reaction or examples, from a reputable outlet. For research findings, find the original study the article reports on and cite that instead.
How old is too old?
It depends on the subject and the brief. In fast-moving fields, work from the last five to ten years is usually expected. Older, well-known work is fine where it is a key text or you are tracing how ideas developed.
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