LibGuides: ED 509 Special Education: Foundations and Characteristics: Evaluating Sources

Evaluating Sources

The ACCORD Model was created to help you evaluate sources. Evaluate each source individually based on the identified criteria to ensure it is academically appropriate.

If you need help evaluating a source, contact a librarian.

Evaluating Statistics

Things to keep in mind when figuring out if your info is credible:

~Who collected the data?

Do they have an interest in the results that might indicate bias?

~How recently was the data published?

~Does the sample sizerepresent a fair population?

~Has the data been "re-packaged"?

For example, government data published by a private source might be incomplete or biased in its "re-packaging".

~Is the data from a primary source?

If not, is it properly cited (referenced) to easily locate the original, primary source?

ACCORD model

ACCORD Model
Download and print the ACCORD model