Psy200 Kraska

Sometimes it's not easy to find author credentials.  But it is always essential.

Take time to learn about the author. Credentials can include:

• education
• years of service
• reputation
• and other works by the author

If there aren't any sources or references, it's not a research article. It's that simple.

Still, the information could be credible. Popular sources (newspapers and magazines) rarely cite sources.

A list of sources is a major clue that the article is credible, and can also lead you to more information. You should also look at the quality of the sources and the number of sources.

Is the information the right age for your needs? Is it too old?

How current is current enough? The answer is: it depends on the subject.

• Medicine: 5 years maximum
• Computer Technology: 1 year
• Science: 5 years maximum
• History: probably no age limit
• Art: may be cyclic

Look for Publisher credentials in every source you use.

Journals, Magazines, Books

Look up the name of the publisher in Google to find information abut the publisher.

Do they publish other journals, magazines or books on the same subject?

Websites

Examine the site for information about the publisher, or sponsor, of the site. Often information about the publisher is discoverable through the "About Us" link.

Many publishers, especially university presses, specialize in academic titles. Examples:

• Oxford University Press
• University of Oregon Press
• Oregon State Press
• Elsevier
• Blackwell Publishers
• John Wiley & Sons
• Macmillan
• McGraw-Hill
• Pearson