To evaluate something is to "determine the significance, worth, or condition of usually by careful appraisal and study" (Merriam-Webster.com).
When we evaluate sources, we are checking that the sources are relevant, accurate, and appropriate for what we are using them for. You might need to use different types of sources depending on the assignment you are working on. Your instructor will provide guidance for specific assignments, but on this page you will learn two useful methods for evaluating sources on your own: the SIFT and RADAR methods.
Vanderbilt Libraries Teaching & Learning. (2023, February 27). Using SIFT to evaluate sources for credibility tutorial [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/qsrXJGpxwIE?si=F_dc23uGce3-Ijja
IRSC Libraries. (2021, February 5). Evaluating sources with RADAR [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/ArfXEc_jAgg?si=YpkE_ls3liO-RKoi
SIFT is an acronym meaning:
S - Stop
I - Investigate
F - Find better coverage
T - Trace context
RADAR is an acronym to help you learn more about your sources:
R - Rationale
A - Authority
D - Date
A - Accuracy
R - Relevance