Summary: Evaluating sources

To be persuasive, evidence needs to come from sources which are considered authoritative and reliable by the academic community you are writing for.

Sources and evidence which are valued outside the academic context may not be valued within it.

Sources and evidence which are valued in one discipline may not be valued in another.

Some sources (e.g. video recordings) may be suitable only for particular types of writing tasks within a discipline or subject area.

The evidence you use must be appropriate to your writing purpose.

Check what your discipline considers to be acceptable and reputable sources and evidence, both generally and in respect of a specific writing task. Always do this before you begin your research and writing.