"reliable, adj. and n. A. adj. 1. That may be relied on. a. Of a person, information, etc.: able to be trusted; in which reliance or confidence may be placed; trustworthy, safe, sure. b. orig. U.S. Of a product, service, etc.: consistently good in quality or performance; dependable. 2. Statistics. Originally: accurate; free from error. In later use: (of a method or technique of measurement) that yields consistent results when repeated under identical conditions. B. n. orig. U.S. Usually in plural, and frequently modified by old. A reliable person, animal, or thing. " OED

IS MY SOURCE RELIABLE?

A reliable source contains evidence-based information and is published or shared by a credible source. To determine if a source is reliable, ask yourself the following questions: 

• Who is the author, and are they credible? 
• Does the source provide detailed or broad, generalized information? 
• Does the source contain references, footnotes, or helpful links? 
• What type of source is it (journal, book, newspaper or magazine article, website, etc.).
• Is it a popular source or from a trade journal? Is it scholarly or peer-reviewed?

TO LEARN MORE:

Consider browsing this helpful handout: 

1. Finding Sources

2. Is your source peer-reviewed?

3. Evaluating Sources

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