Most article databases indicate whether sources are scholarly, or from non-scholarly sources. But evaluating sources, scholarly or not, is a complex task. Here is a short video that describes some variables you should take into account when evaluating sources. Even though a source may be be biased, or manipulative, or even false, it maybe a valuable source for your research, as long as you make clear its purpose. Important variables include:

• Author
• Audience
• Review Process
• Currency
• Perspective