When you search for sources, you should realize that all materials have an author who has personal beliefs that affect the way he or she views the world and approaches a topic. This is a normal part of the research process; however, serious authors have adopted ways to ensure that their own opinions don’t get in the way of accuracy. You will want to find such objective sources whenever possible; however, many sources will be heavily biased toward a specific viewpoint or ideology.

Research consists of considering multiple perspectives on a topic, analyzing the sources, and creating something new from your analysis. Signs of bias, such as overly positive or overly harsh language, hints of a personal agenda, or a stubborn refusal to consider other points of view, indicate that you should question the credibility and accuracy of a source. Although nothing is wrong with someone having a particular point of view, as a researcher you need to be aware that the bias exists. You may need to exclude strongly biased sources from your research. For example, if you are writing about climate change, you will want to examine sources for evidence of political or personal agendas. The following questions can help you evaluate your sources: