Begin with traceability
A credible source should be identifiable beyond a copied quotation. Confirm the author, publication, date, title, and stable location. Search the DOI or the journal’s own index when one is available.
Examine authority and method
Credentials alone do not make an argument reliable. Ask whether the author’s expertise matches the claim, whether the method can answer the research question, and whether important limitations are disclosed.
Test relevance, not just similarity
A source may mention your topic without supporting your exact claim. Record what the study actually found, the population or material it examined, and the boundaries of its conclusions.
Read laterally
Check how other credible sources describe the author, journal, method, or finding. Retractions, corrections, and serious scholarly criticism are easier to see when you move beyond the original page.
A useful next step
Apply this framework to one section of your current project, then record the decision you made and the evidence supporting it. If you need one-to-one feedback, Dr. Jack can help within your institution's academic-integrity rules.