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ENGL 101/102/103: Composition, Rhetoric, & Research

Guidance and resources for students in ENGL 101, ENGL 102, & ENGL 103

Evaluating Sources

Evaluating Sources

Bias & Fact vs. Opinion

Bias

Bias occurs when an author presents information influenced by their personal beliefs, preferences, or agenda rather than objective evidence. While some bias is natural, it’s important to recognize when it compromises the source's credibility.

How to Spot Bias:

  • Look for emotionally charged language or one-sided arguments.
  • Does the author present alternative viewpoints?
  • Is the content overly promotional or persuasive? .

Fact vs. Opinion

Distinguishing fact from opinion is crucial when evaluating a source's credibility:

  • Facts: Statements that can be proven true or verified with evidence.
    • Example: “The 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920.”
  • Opinions: Statements based on personal beliefs, interpretations, or judgments.
    • Example: “The ratification of the19th Amendment was not an important moment in history."
  • How to Evaluate: Does evidence back the claims? Does the source provide citations or data to support its points? Can other reputable sources corroborate the information? .

TRAAP Test

DOES IT PASS THE TRAAP TEST?

The TRAAP Test breaks down the source evaluation process into manageable questions to help you determine if a source is suitable for your research.

T stands for timeliness. Ask yourself: When was the information published? Does the age of the information affect the accuracy? Is there a more recent version that supports or refutes the original? Are the links functional? R stands for relevance. Ask yourself: Who is the intended audience? Is it pitched at a scholarly audience? Have you looked at a variety of similar sources before selecting this one? Would you be comfortable citing this source? The first A stands for authority. Ask yourself: Who is the intended audience? Is it pitched at a scholarly audience? Have you looked at a variety of similar sources before selecting this one? Would you be comfortable citing this source? The second A stands for accuracy. Ask yourself: Can the information be verified other in other reliable sourced? Does the research contain sufficient evidence to back it up? Has it been through a peer-review process? Are there spelling or grammatical errors? The P stands for purpose. Ask yourself: Why was this information created? Does it seek to inform, provide facts, to sell, or to persuade you of something? Is there evidence of political, religious, institutional, or personal biases? Is the information objective and impartial?

This graphic uses the text-based TRAAP test from the Australian National University.