Baker Core Research

A great way to establish the credibility of a source is to go through the ABC's.

Always utilize the library databases to find sources https://lib.bakeru.edu/home

A: (Author)ity who created the source? What make them a reliable & trustworthy author? 

• Pro Tip: remember that authority is Constructed and Contextual, different groups, societies, and cultures view authority in different ways
• Pro Tip: leave the website to find out more about the group/author many professional looking websites with biased or (misinformation spreading) interest groups exist.

B: Bias is a prejudice in favor of one thing, person, or group, over another. Does the source seem biased, or, is it well balanced? Does it present one or both sides of an idea or argument? is it satire or an opinion piece?

• Pro Tip: some sources are famous for posting satire (like the satiric newspaper The Onion) many news sources, blogs, and web magazines contain great articles and also post opinion pieces regularly. Be cautious with non-scholarly sources.
• Pro Tip: Use an established reputable fact-checking website such as snopes or politifact to help you.

C: Content  what does the source contain? Lots of jargon or is it too simple? Does it provide references (citations) about where the author got their information? Are those references real? 

• Pro Tip: Find a variety of sources and remember that the type of research you are conducting WILL inform the types of sources you need to find.
• Pro Tip: DO NOT read a scholarly article like it is a novel. Use the 3 pass method and take notes as you go. 

3 Pass Method 

Is there an obvious bias behind the article?

Does the source feel emotionally-driven rather than fact-based?

Can I trust the author or creators of the source? Can I identify them?

Do they cite other work within their work? (this does not include inserted links)