 Is this website credible? Guide to Evaluating Online Sources I'm writing a paper. Is this website a credible source? Great question. To find out if this is a credible source, let's first talk about something called source authority. What is source authority? Source authority refers to an author's credibility. Source authority asks, does this author have expertise on the topic about which they are writing? To evaluate source authority or credibility, consider the following. Where did it come from? Who was it made for? How are you planning to use this information? It's all about context. Where did it come from? Who is the author of this work? What are their qualifications or expertise on this topic? Is this author the original creator of this work? Has this author written anything else? If so, what? Who is the intended audience? Is this a scholarly publication for academics? A famous baker's blog with tips for amateur bakers? Or a weather report intended for the general public? How will this source be used? If you're on a walk and worried it might rain, you could check a weather app on your phone. Given the context, a weather app is a credible source. However, if you're writing a research paper on the effects of climate change, you need a more authoritative source than a weather app. Instead, find sources written by experts in the field. Remember, source authority equals author's expertise. Evaluate your sources. Popular sources like blogs can be credible. It depends on how you use them. Questions? Email the BC librarians, referenceatvelviewcollege.edu. Thanks for watching.