Finding Reliable Sources: Who Decides a Source is Reliable?

Peer Review

A scholar/researcher/professor writes an article (aka 'manuscript') or book proposal. 

1. He or she submits the manuscript or proposal to an academic journal or book publisher in their field of study.
2. The book or journal editor decides whether the topic and overall quality of the manuscript or proposal is appropriate for their journal or publication catalog.
3. If it is acceptable, the editor sends the manuscript or proposal to 2 or 3 scholarly experts in the subject
4. The experts read, critique, and recommend:
   1) Publish as is (rare)
   2) Publish with revisions (major or minor)
   3) Do not publish.

Editorial Review

The editor(s) are experienced practitioners or jounalists.

Used by:

• Magazines for a general audience
• professional or trade magazines for practitioners in a field
• professional newspapers (print or online)

Reader Review

Everything you find online--through Google, Facebook, blogs, and websites--must be carefully reviewed to determine its reliability. 

Use the CRAAP Test to quickly decide if a source can be trusted.

http://www.csuchico.edu/lins/handouts/eval_websites.pdf

Lanier Technical College Libraries

Kathryn Thompson
Director of Library Services
Hall Campus
770-533-6968
kthompson@laniertech.edu

Min Su
Librarian
Forsyth Campus
678-341-6636
msu@laniertech.edu

Tina Jordan
Librarian
Dawson Campus
678-513-5221
tjordan@laniertech.edu

Patrick Stanley
Librarian
Barrow & Jackson Campus
770-294-4525
pstanley@laniertech.edu