When you are searching beyond the library you will need to decide if sources are credible, accurate, and appropriate for your assignment. You can ask yourself a few questions from the Five Ws to help make this decision.
The Five Ws
Who wrote it?
Author, credentials, organization
What type of source is it?
Scholarly or popular? Website or Journal article? Technical language or Casual language?
When was it written?
Is it current information?
Where did the information in the article come from?
Is it original research? Did they cite their sources? Is it based on previous findings?
Why is it being written?
Is it to share research with other academics? Is it to change your point of view? Is it trying to sell you something?
