What's the source?

Is the information you find online accurate?

We often turn to the internet to research for assignments or find information in our daily lives, and while it’s often helpful, it’s always important to analyse the results you find for accuracy.

In your studies, using inaccurate information could be the difference between passing or failing your assignment. Using misinformation in your daily life could be just as risky.

Misinformation, defined by the Australian Communications and Media Authority as ‘false, misleading or deceptive information that can cause harm’, can be easily spread online. Some sources may be outdated or altogether wrong - AI language learning models like ChatGPT may sound like easy sources of information, but they don't always give correct answers and may even make up references when asked for them. Other sources may look credible but could actually be a scam. For help spotting scams, check out the Scamwatch website.

Where to find good sources of information

The TAFE Queensland Library website is the best place to begin searching for accurate, credible, and timely information.

You can search for online and physical resources through the Quickfind catalogue, or access our Library Subject Guides, which have recommended library resources and links to external websites that have already been assessed by a librarian for their relevancy and accuracy. The library catalogue contains several media databases including Australia/New Zealand Reference Centre, Regional Business News, and Flipster.

How to evaluate your sources

The TRAAP method is one of the best ways to assess the credibility of a source. Try asking yourself these questions:

Timeframe

• When was the document published or last updated?
• The more recent a source is, the more accurate the information is likely to be.
• Most TAFE Queensland teachers look for resources published in the last 5 years.

Relevance

• Is the information relevant to your research?
• Who is the intended audience of the source? Is it too elementary, or too advanced?
• Is this the best source on the topic? Try comparing it to another source on the same subject.

Authority

• Who is the author of the source?
• What expertise do they have on the topic?
• If you're on a website, you can usually locate this information on the About Us page.

Accuracy

• Can the information be verified by other sources?
• Does the author provide references or evidence for what they are stating?
• You could try using a fact-checking website like AAP Factcheck.

Purpose

• Why was this information published?
• Is the information objective and impartial, or is there evidence of the author's biases?
• Is the information there to inform you, or is it trying to persuade you or sell a product?
  
• Look for educational or government websites (.edu or .gov).
• Be cautious of using commercial websites (.com) - they may use misinformation to try to sell you something.

Using this criteria will help you to find credible sources for your research and identify misinformation. More information on finding and evaluating sources can be found here.

Still unsure about whether you should use a source for your assignment? Contact our library staff online or in person.