Final answer:
Evaluate published sources based on the author's credibility, the accuracy and trustworthiness of information, relevance to the research topic, timeliness, and the reputation of the publisher or source.
Step-by-step explanation:
When evaluating published sources such as books, it is important to consider five commonly used criteria. These criteria are:
- The credibility of the author, including their credentials and qualifications.
- The accuracy and trustworthiness of the information, which involves checking for citations and a bibliography.
- The relevance of the source to the research topic.
- Timeliness of the research, ensuring it is up to date.
- The publisher, sponsor, or source's reputation and the nature of the publication, such as if it is peer-reviewed.
These criteria help in determining whether a source is acceptable for scholarly work and how much it should be trusted in a research context. For example, an article published by a renowned and well-established peer-reviewed academic journal would likely meet these criteria, suggesting it is a highly credible source for research.