Evaluate Sources: Documentation

Where did the author get the information?

Sources that include quotes, citations, data, links, or other documentation for the conclusions they present are more reliable than those that do not. Expect the amount and type of evidence to vary between sources, but any documentation provided can help you verify the facts presented or claims made and help you determine the value of the source.

Where to find

Articles and Books will often have a bibliography (Works Cited or References section), detailing the sources the author used in the work.

Websites may include a footnote of the source they used, or include link to their source.  In some cases you may need to search for the original source yourself.

Next: Timeliness