Credible sources are those you can trust to provide accurate, fair, and well- supported information. They’re typically produced by qualified authors, institutions, or organizations, and they show clear evidence, transparency, and accountability for their claims. Here’s a concise framework to judge credibility.

Core criteria

• Authority
  • Who is the author or publisher? What are their credentials, affiliations, and track record in the field? Is the author an expert or associated with a reputable institution? [authority and expertise]

• Accuracy
  • Are claims supported by evidence such as data, citations, methods, or references? Is there room for error or uncertainty acknowledged? Are there obvious factual or methodological flaws? [evidence and citations]

• Currency
  • Is the information up-to-date for the topic? Some fields (science, technology, medicine) require recent sources, while others may rely on foundational work. [currency]

• Objectivity and bias
  • Does the source have a clear purpose or potential agenda (commercial, political, ideological)? Are counterarguments acknowledged or fairly represented? [bias]

• Coverage and relevance
  • Does the source address the topic comprehensively? Is it appropriate for the depth required (overview vs. specialists)? [coverage]

• Evidence and methodology
  • For research, are methods described, sample sizes stated, and results reproducible? Are data and analyses transparent? [methods and transparency]

• Peer review and vetting
  • Has the work undergone formal review by experts in the field (peer review), or been published by a reputable publisher? [peer review]

Practical checks you can perform

• Check the author and affiliation: look up the author’s qualifications and institutional backing.

• Inspect the sources: scan for citations, references, and whether primary data or data repositories are used.

• Assess the publication venue: journals with established editorial boards and peer review, or books from academic presses, generally more reliable.

• Look for corroboration: verify whether multiple independent sources agree on key facts.

• Identify potential biases: note funding sources, organizational ties, or political/commercial aims.

• Evaluate methodology (for research): sampling, controls, limitations, and reproducibility should be described.

Types of sources and their credibility

• Scholarly articles and books
  • Typically high credibility due to peer review and detailed methodology.

• Reputable news outlets and journalism with editorial standards
  • Useful for current events when supported by evidence and multiple sources.

• Government, academic, or professional organization reports
  • Often highly credible, especially for statistics and policy information, though still worth checking methodology and date.

• Primary sources and official records
  • Invaluable for direct evidence, but may require expert interpretation.

• Blogs or opinion pieces
  • Credible if written by recognized experts, with transparent reasoning and sources; otherwise, treat cautiously.

Red flags to watch for

• Missing authorship or opaque affiliations
• Lack of citations or references
• Unsupported claims or excessive sensational language
• Outdated information for fast-moving fields
• Clear ideological or commercial bias without disclosure

If you’d like, share a specific source or topic, and it can be evaluated against this framework to determine its credibility.