Source Evaluation: A Quick Credibility Screen
Not every source deserves equal weight. A short checklist — author, recency, type — screens the weak ones fast.
What is the Source Evaluator?
Enter a source's title, author, type, and year, and the tool scores it on a simple checklist: named author, recent publication, and source type. This is a quick screening aid, not a verdict — read the source itself before citing it.
How to use it
- Enter the source title and author.
- Choose the type and year.
- Click Evaluate Source and read the source itself.
Worked example
A 2025 journal source with a named author scores 100 out of 100: 30 for author, 30 for recency, and 40 for type.
What score does a 2025 journal article with a named author get?
100 out of 100 on this checklist: 30 for the author, 30 for recency, and 40 for the source type.
Frequently asked questions
Does a high score mean the source is right?
No. It is a screening aid; the argument and evidence still need reading.
Should old sources be rejected?
Not always — foundational works stay valuable, but check whether newer evidence supersedes them.