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Source Quality Rating Document Exemplar

General Information about Sources: The best sources of specialized information are not more

than five years old, whereas sources of general information can be older. For example, general

information about cancer that was written 20 years ago might still be accurate, whereas preferred

treatments for lung cancer would be considered specialized information and should be more

current since they change often. Primary sources present original research on a subject, whereas

secondary sources often cite original research, statistics, or information developed by others.

Secondary sources are entirely acceptable for this course and for most academic writing, but one

measure of their quality is the primary source on which they are based. Sources that emphasize

facts and statistics are often more reliable than those that simply provide opinion, even the

opinion of an expert on the subject. There are exceptions to all of the rules stated above.

1. Provide the title of your source and the Internet link or other locating information.

More wives becoming main breadwinners

February 11, 2007. By Molly Selvin, Los Angeles Times, a Tribune Co. newspaper

http://www.latimes.com

2. Use the Walden Writing Center to locate proper APA citation format, and practice writing

a bibliographic entry for your source.

Slevin, M. (2007, February 11). More wives becoming main breadwinners. Los Angeles Times.

3. Rate your source on the following points with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest

rating:

• __4 How current is the source?

• __5 Does your source cite other sources as the basis for its claims? Yes If so, how

many? 6

• Of what quality do you judge the original sources to be?

The original sources are credible. The author worked for the Los Angeles Times for

18 successful years. Many citations from subject matter experts in the field were

presented with back-up information.

• __5_ Does your source provide statistics or other facts, or is it completely or

primarily expert opinion? It provides many statistics to support the story.

NOTE: More than one rating of “3” or lower should provide the basis for concern about the

quality of your source. In that case, you should consult your professor.