4 Ways to Differentiate a Good Source From a Bad Source

When writing research papers or gathering information for class, your work is only as strong as the sources behind it. AI tools and the internet make research more convenient than ever, but they also raise a critical question: How do you know if a source is credible?

Below are four key strategies to help you determine whether a source is reliable or not, including how to find good sources, what makes a source trustworthy, and whether domains like .org and .net are reliable.

How to Know if a Source is Reliable: Spotting Credible vs Unreliable Websites

1. Check the Domain Name; But Don’t Stop There

One of the quickest and most effective ways to get a first impression of a website’s reliability is by examining its domain ending (also known as the top-level domain, or TLD).

While this isn't a foolproof method on its own, it gives you important context about the source’s origin, purpose, and credibility.

Here's how different domain types typically stack up, and what to watch out for:

• .edu: Educational institutions. Generally reliable and created by subject-matter experts or academic staff.
• .gov: Government websites. Highly trustworthy, especially for statistics, policy, or public data.
• .org: Often, nonprofits—but are .org websites reliable? Not always. Anyone can buy a .org domain, so it's essential to verify the organization’s mission and any potential biases. Is .org a scholarly source? Academic sources are usually peer-reviewed journals, not just websites ending in .org.
• .com: Commercial sites. Reliability varies—evaluate each site individually.
• .net: Originally meant for networks, now available to anyone. Is .net a reliable source? Only if it has expert authorship, citations, and up-to-date information.

Also, you can check online to see who owns a domain name and whether the owner’s IP address is in the U.S. or abroad.

2. Look Closely at the Author and Their Sources

A credible source begins with a credible author. Before you trust the information, ask yourself:

✔️ Is the Author Clearly Identified?

·        Check for full names, not just usernames or initials.

·        Look for credentials: Are they a professor, journalist, researcher, or subject-matter expert?

·        Search the author’s name: Do they appear on university websites, academic databases, or LinkedIn?

Google the author’s name + "credentials" or "bio".
Example: Dr. Jane Smith biology site:edu

✔️ What Are the Author’s Affiliations?

• Are they connected to a university, research institution, or government agency?
• If affiliated with an advocacy group, political org, or private company, consider how that might introduce bias.

Look for an “About” or “Staff” page on the site to verify the organization’s mission and funding sources.

Additionally, verify the publication date. In some cases, it may not matter if the source is older or hasn’t been recently updated; however, in fields of study where information can rapidly change, the data may become obsolete:

✔️ Is the Article Dated, and Is the Date Relevant?

Information in fields like healthcare, science, and technology changes rapidly.

• Check the publication date and the date of the last update.
• For evergreen topics like history or philosophy, older sources may still be helpful. But for subjects that evolve rapidly, such as AI ethics or internet privacy laws, outdated information can be misleading or irrelevant.

 No visible date? That’s a red flag. Look for other sources instead.

3. Cross-Verify the Information: Don’t Just Take It at Face Value

Even if a source appears professional or cites statistics, that doesn’t automatically make it a reliable source. The most effective way to assess accuracy is to cross-verify and compare information with other independent, reputable sources.

This process is known as lateral reading. Instead of staying on the page and evaluating the site in isolation, open new tabs and look elsewhere:

Ask yourself:

• Can I find the same information elsewhere?
  If a claim is valid, other credible outlets should also report it, especially established media, academic publications, or government reports.
• Are there peer-reviewed articles that support the claim?
  Search Google Scholar, PubMed, or your university library’s academic databases. Peer-reviewed journals undergo a formal evaluation process, which means experts have reviewed their claims.
• Do fact-checking websites confirm or debunk the claim?

• Look for these red flags during cross-verification:
  • Exclusivity: If only one site reports a primary statistic or claim and no one else corroborates it, that’s suspicious.
  • Echo chambers: If only ideologically aligned or affiliated sites repeat the same claim, that’s not verification; that’s amplification.
  • Misinterpretation: Some sources may link to a credible study but draw false or misleading conclusions from it. Always go back to the original research if possible.

Use Wikipedia, Blogs, and AI Tools with Caution

Websites like Wikipedia, personal blogs, Reddit threads, and AI platforms like ChatGPT or Google Gemini can help you explore a topic or brainstorm ideas. But because these platforms are collaborative, opinion-based, or machine-generated, they aren’t peer-reviewed and may include unreliable or even false information.

Use them strategically:

• Wikipedia: Great for overviews. Scroll to the reference section at the bottom of an article to find original, citable sources.
• Blogs and forums: Verify author credentials, publication dates, and citations. Trace claims back to primary sources.
• AI tools: Helpful for summarizing and organizing thoughts, but they can also fabricate facts or cite fake sources. Always double-check information using trusted sources, such as .gov, .edu, or peer-reviewed journals. If the AI gives you a citation, verify it manually.

When in doubt, don’t cite the blog, the wiki, or the AI: cite the credible source it points you to.

Not sure if a source is reliable? You can get help from:

• Your professor
• The University Writing Center at UTEP
• The UTEP Library – they offer support by:
  • Email: libraryref@utep.edu
  • Text: 915-249-3383
  • Phone: 915-747-5643 or 915-747-5638

Don't hesitate to reach out. They’re there to help!

Ready to Put These Research Skills to Work?

Learning how to evaluate information is just one part of being a strong student and critical thinker. At UTEP, our fully online programs are designed to help you build those skills and apply them in real-world settings. Regardless of your background or goals, our accredited online programs provide you with the flexibility to continue learning and growing on your terms.

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