Source criticism

During your studies, you will encounter information from many different types of sources. The questions below are intended to support your critical evaluation of information, images, or statements.

Checklist for source criticism

Who is the author?

Is an author and/or publisher identified? Is the author an expert in the subject area and impartial? Who is behind the information—a company, a public authority, an organisation, or a private individual? Are contact details provided? Reputable publishers usually present themselves clearly.

What is the purpose of the content?

Does the author aim to inform, influence, provoke, or perhaps sell something?

For whom is the material written?

What is the intended audience (researchers, the general public, or school pupils)? Is the level of difficulty appropriate for your purpose?

How up-to-date is the information?

When was the material compiled? Has it been updated recently? Are there newer editions?

How reliable is the content?

How well does the source cover the subject? Are the factual claims accurate, and is the text objective? Are references provided in the text and bibliography? Does the author describe the methods used to reach their conclusions in a way that allows the study or experiment to be replicated? Can other reliable sources be found? Do other sources say the same thing?

The Swedish Internet Foundation (ISS) web guide for source criticism on the internet