Trustworthy source, author’s credentials, evidence of quality control, known or respected authority, organizational support.
Goal: An authoritative source, a source that supplies some good evidence that allows you to trust it.
Up to date, factual, detailed, exact, comprehensive, audience and purpose reflect intentions of completeness and accuracy.
Goal: A source that is correct today (not yesterday), a source that gives the whole truth.
Fair, balanced, objective, reasoned, no conflict of interest, absence of fallacies or slanted tone.
Goal: A source that engages the subject thoughtfully and reasonably, concerned with the truth.
Listed sources, contact information, available corroboration, claims supported, documentation supplied.
Goal: A source that provides convincing evidence for the claims made, a source you can find other sources that support it.
Whether you are looking for information for a class project or personal needs, use this guide to check and rate your sources for CARS credibility. Remember that all four ”wheels” of the CARS criteria should be evident, or you may find that your “great” source is really a “clunker”!
(CARS elements adapted from Robert Harris, Virtualsalt.com)