What does establish credibility mean?
Answer
Thank you for the question on establishing credibility.
That phrase could mean one of two things:
1) Students are supposed to establish credibility in a research paper.
- This means to show the reader knowledge about the topic.
- Explain how you came to know that information.
- It could be from personal experience, for example in the workplace.
- But, most of the time, the way to establish credibility is from using excellent research.
- Back up statements you make with facts or quotations from experts in that field of knowledge.
- To do this, use credible sources in the research. This also leads to #2.
2) Find information from sources that have established credibility.
To determine a source's credibility, use the 5 W's below:
- Who: Who wrote the article/website? Does the author have any credentials or expertise in this field?
- When: How recent is the information? Has anything happened in this field since the information was published that would make the information no longer true or useful?
- Where: Where is the information located? Is it from a respected journal? A questionable website? How reliable is this source?
- Why: Why was this information written? Is it factual? Is is persuasive? Does the author support his/her arguments with sources? Is there a Reference page or a Bibliography of sources?
- What: What is the point of using this particular source? Does it support the argument?
The Library Resources are considered credible sources for research papers.
Thank you for using ASK US.