What does it mean for a source to be credible? Why is it important to use these sources? How can you tell if a source is credible? A very brief introduction to credibility in research sources (3 minutes):
In addition to looking for markers of credibility in the source you're considering, you can also look up what others have said about the source, or whether the information it presents is verified by other trusted sources. Mike Caulfield, a research scientist who studies misinformation at the University of Washington, explains (3 minutes):
For more on this method, here are three more short videos on online verification skills. (optional)
Now, consider this: Pull up one of the sources you've found for your essay. Does it stand up to a credibility check based on the first video? How or how not? What about the second video--what does Wikipedia (or other sources) say about the organization or publication that published your source (for example, the Brookings Institution or the Lancet)? (Need help identifying the organization or publication that published your source? Ask a librarian).
