Which of the following constitutes credible sources for high school level research?

• A. Scholarly articles, books, reputable newspapers, government or educational websites; avoid anonymous sources.
• B. Anonymous blogs and posts.
• C. Social media posts as primary sources.
• D. Commercial websites with no author.

Answer: (A)

Evaluating where information comes from is essential for credible high school research. Sources that are credible typically involve identifiable authors and pass through some form of review or editorial process, such as scholarly articles, books, reputable newspapers, and government or educational websites. These materials usually include citations or references, show when they were published, and provide evidence you can verify, which helps ensure accuracy and reliability.

Anonymous blogs and posts lack an author and accountability, making it hard to judge their trustworthiness. Social media posts as primary sources can reflect real-time opinions or events, but they often lack verification and scholarly rigor, so they’re not usually reliable on their own for academic conclusions. Commercial websites without an author may push a particular agenda or marketing message, and without a clear author, it's hard to assess expertise or bias.

When evaluating sources, prioritize materials with identifiable authors, clear publication dates, reputable publishers, and supporting evidence or citations.