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Evaluate Research Sources with RADAR

by Jessica Riedmueller on 2017-10-06T14:41:00-05:00 in Research Tips | 0 Comments

 

We've all heard about #fakenews, lately. Sometimes, it's easy to spot the misleading or incorrect information. Sometimes, the information is clearly satire. But sometimes, the misinformation is hidden amongst factual information, making it hard to spot. While sharing false or misinformation in a casual setting may be embarrassing, using unverified or false information in a research paper can damage your credibility and your grade.

Want to help stop the spread of fake news? One trick is to apply an evaluation framework to any resource you come across. One of our favorites is RADAR:

R A D A R
Rationale Authority Date Accuracy Relevance
  • What is the purpose of this source?
  • Does the author use objective or emotional language?
  • Is there an obvious or ambiguous bias?
  • What are the author's credentials?
  • Is this author affiliated with an educational institution or a well-known organization?
  • Is the source peer-reviewed? If not, does it come from a well-known, reputable publisher?
  • When was the information published?
  • Is there newer information available that may refute this information?
  • Can the statements made by the author(s) be verified in another source?
  • What statements do other sources make on this topic? Is there some agreement between sources?
  • How was this source fact-checked or reviewed? (Peer-review, editorial review, etc.)
  • How does this source support your thesis?
  • Do you understand the source? Is it too technical? Is it overly simplified?
  • Does the source add something new to your understanding or to your research question?

Ask yourself these questions about the source you are considering. This will give you a fuller picture of the source's purpose and its usefulness.

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