Responses
1
Evaluation of a source material requires one to follow a procedure and a series of
checklists to determine whether a source is credible. First and foremost, a source must reveals
information about its authorship, and the most basic information, in this case, is the name of the
author. It is hard to trust or even beginning going through a source that does not reveal who the
writer is. On the other hand, a credible source not only includes the name of the author but also
biographical information or a link to the same to establish his authority.
Another critical step in the evaluation of source material is to check whether the purpose
of the reading is easily identifiable. Credible sources are direct to the point and contain
information that is suitable and beneficial to the target audience. When evaluating source
material, it is important to check whether the language used appeals to logos and whether the
URL of the site on a site independent of political or philosophical views. A source loses a level
of credibility when it seeks to appeal to the readers’ emotions. Other ways of evaluating a source
material are to analyze the literature used and the timeliness of the source. A credible source will
include a bibliography and will refer to correctly dated information.
2
Surname 2
A source that is not credible does not apply effective communication and contains little
true, accurate, and timely information. An example of a source that is not credible is found on the
link; http://www.worldslargestthings.com/easterntour/wadlow.htm. This source is one to avoid
when drafting a research paper for several reasons. For instance, it immediately lacks credibility
because it fails to reveal who the author of the article is or any links that might reveal more
information about him (World’s Largest Things np). Although the purpose of this reading is
easily identifiable since it goes straight to the point, it tends to appeal more to the readers’
emotions instead of focusing on logic.
Furthermore, the facts laid out in the reading does not reveal where the information
comes from. The source lacks a bibliography and proper citation; therefore, it is impossible to
determine whether the information in it is reliable or not (World’s Largest Things np). The
source lacks credibility because it does not contain any link to websites that display multiple
viewpoints or that might support the information in it. Additionally, the link available on the
page does not work and the source is outdated.
3
A credible source uses effective communication through its language that suits the
intended audience and appeals to reason rather than emotion. A credible source does not shy
away from citing the information in uses and always includes a bibliography. An example of a
credible source is found on the link; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK361400/. This
source is highly credible as it not only reveals the names of the authors but it also provides a link
to additional information regarding them (Craigie and Lisa np). A reader can tell what
organization is responsible for hosting the site; furthermore, the organization, National Center for
Biotechnology Information, is a known authority on the subject in question.
Surname 3
This source is credible as it contains links to websites that offer multiple viewpoints and
it contains a bibliography and proper citation (Craigie and Lisa np). All the links in the page
work and the page includes a clear copyright and publication date. Other factors that give this
source credibility include; its purpose can easily be identified, it appeals to reason, and the server
it resides on does not have any specific philosophical or philosophical agenda.
Surname 4
Works Cited
Craigie, Jillian, and Lisa Bortolotti. "Rationality, Diagnosis, and Patient Autonomy in
Psychiatry – The Oxford Handbook of Psychiatric Ethics, Volume 1 – NCBI
Bookshelf." National Center for Biotechnology Information, Oxford University
Press, 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK361400/.
World’s Largest Things. "World's Tallest Man." World’s Largest Things Traveling Roadside
Attraction, 2005, www.worldslargestthings.com/easterntour/wadlow.htm.