Use credible sources to support claims
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Learning Objectives
- 1Evaluate a source for credibility using criteria: author, publisher, date, and purpose
- 2Distinguish between credible sources (peer-reviewed, official, expert) and non-credible ones (biased, anonymous, outdated)
- 3Sort a set of sources into Credible and Not Credible using evidence-based reasoning
- 4Match each source to the specific reason that makes it credible or not credible
Mini Lesson
A strong argument depends on reliable information. A source is credible when you can trust that the information it contains is accurate, honest, and up-to-date. Learning to evaluate sources before you use them is one of the most important skills in argumentative writing.
The SIFT Method
- Stop — pause before you share or use information. Ask: do I actually know if this is trustworthy?
- Investigate the source — who created it? What is their background? Do they have a bias or a financial interest?
- Find better sources — look for expert organizations, peer-reviewed journals, or official government sites that confirm the same information.
- Trace claims — follow a claim back to its original source. Headlines and social media posts often distort or oversimplify the original research.
Four Credibility Criteria
- Author — is the writer a named expert with relevant qualifications? Anonymous sources are a red flag.
- Publisher — was this published by a university, government body, professional organization, or reputable press? Or is it a personal blog or unknown website?
- Date — is the information recent enough for the topic? Science, medicine, and technology change quickly.
- Purpose — is the goal to inform and educate, or to sell, persuade, or entertain? Promotional content has a built-in bias.
Credible vs Not Credible — at a Glance
- Credible: peer-reviewed journal articles, government websites (.gov), WHO/UN/official bodies, books by named experts at reputable publishers.
- Often not credible: anonymous blog posts, social media shares, advertisement-backed health sites, undated pages, Wikipedia as a final source (useful for orientation only).
- Peer review means other experts in the field read the research before publication and checked for errors — this is the gold standard for scientific claims.
- A .com site is not automatically bad; check the author and purpose. A .gov or .edu site is not automatically good; check the date.
Primary vs Secondary Sources
- Primary source — the original research, data, or document (e.g. a published study, a census report, an interview with the expert).
- Secondary source — a summary or analysis of primary sources (e.g. a news article about a study, a textbook chapter).
- Whenever possible, trace a claim back to the primary source. Secondary sources can introduce errors, exaggerations, or omissions.
Source: a health blog post titled "This one fruit cures diabetes!" — no author name, no date, with a link to buy supplements.
Is this source credible? Why or why not?
Run through SIFT: Stop (that headline is sensational), Investigate (anonymous, selling something), Find better sources (search for peer-reviewed diabetes research), Trace the claim (no original study is cited).
Tip: when you cite a source in your writing, name the author, the publisher or organization, and the year. This lets readers check the source themselves and shows you have done your research.
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