How to find credible sources for a research paper

Tips for finding credible sources

Finding credible sources is a valuable skill. Since research papers discuss information in-depth, you must use accurate sources in your paper. Here’s how.

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Use the CRAAP Test

Run your sources through the CRAAP Test to verify their credibility. CRAAP stands for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose. Follow this breakdown to determine if you can trust the source you found.

• Currency: Check when the source published the information and if ever updated the content. For example, if you find a source published in 2000, the information may no longer be accurate. Sources published in the last 10 years are acceptable for research papers on the arts, humanities, literature, or history—but if you’re writing in the science, finance, education, and social science fields, look for sources published in the past two to three years. This is because science-related fields are fast-paced and are quickly changing.
• Relevance: Make sure the source is relevant to your research essay. Does the source back up your essay points? Or is it off topic? Additionally, consider the source’s intended audience: does your source convey information at an appropriate level? If your source is too advanced, it may be difficult to understand, or if it is written too simply, it may come across as condescending or patronizing.
• Authority: Examine the source of the information, especially its authors, publishers, or sponsors. Do the authors have relevant credentials? What are their professional affiliations? Ensure the source’s author is qualified to write about a topic—otherwise, the information may not be accurate. Another aspect you should consider is the source’s URL. Domains ending with .edu (educational institutions) and .gov (government agencies) are considered reliable. Domains ending with .org (non-profit organizations) are not always reliable, so you may want to double-check any information you find from a .org URL.
• Accuracy: Make sure the information has been supported by evidence and peer reviewed. Pro tip: See if your source information can be verified by a separate source as well. Additionally, look for sources with unbiased language free of spelling and grammar errors.
• Purpose: Consider why the information exists. Was it created to promote an agenda or serve as propaganda? If so, it likely isn’t a reliable source. Does the information have religious, cultural, political, or ideological biases? If any of these biases are present in the source, it may not be credible.

Use academic research databases

Instead of using your search engine to find relevant sources, try sticking to searching within research databases instead. Research databases provide tons of academic resources you can use to find reliable information. Consider these research databases to find credible sources:

• JSTOR: multidisciplinary academic journals, books, primary sources, and images
• Scopus: peer-reviewed scientific journals and books
• PubMed: literature on biomedical or life sciences
• Directory of Open Access Journals: peer-reviewed scholarly research journals

Signs that a source isn’t credible

Untrustworthy sources have clear warning signs. Look for the following if you think a source isn’t credible:

• The information is one-sided.
• The author doesn’t share how or where they got their information.
• The information has multiple spelling and/or grammatical errors.
• The piece lacks detail.
• The author states their opinion, through phrases like “I think” or “I feel.”
• The information needed to cite the source is missing (for example, the author’s name or the date it was published).
• You’re unable to verify the information with a separate source.

Finding accurate and credible information is essential for a quality research paper. Now that you know how to find credible sources, learn how to avoid plagiarism in your research paper.