General tips for evaluating sources

• Who is the author? 
  Is the author a researcher, clinician, a government, organization or corporation?
  
  
• Publication date of the source?
  Depending on research field, publication date may indicate if the source is up to date or not.
  
  
• Who is the intended reader?
  The language used in the text may reflect the intended reader- e. g. many research terms or simplified language? Students, researchers or public?
  
  
• What is the purpose or intention of the source?
  Is it to communicate research results or is the purpose to influence opinion?
  
  
• Who is responsible for the information and facts?
  Is it a university, a research group, an organization, a corporation or individual?
  
  

• Are there references to facts and previous research?
  A research article always have references to previous research and relevant background facts. 
  
  
• Are there additional sources?
  Can you find additional sources that confirm or contradict the source, or that gives additional perspectives to the source?