Why it matters for nurses: The sources you use for your information matter. This page will show you how to spot reliable information and match the right source to your question — just like choosing the right tool in patient care.
Other library guides in the NURS 1111 series:
Different questions call for different kinds of sources.
Click a situation below to see the best sources to use.
Adapted from Celia Brinkerhoff, Doing Research, CC-BY-4.0
Not all sources are equal. Each type has strengths and weaknesses. Knowing them helps you decide if the source fits your assignment.
Media Sources (Newspapers, Magazines, TV)Strengths
Weaknesses
Search tips
Trade Journals or Magazines (e.g., Alberta RN, Canadian Nurse)Strengths
Weaknesses
Search tips
Government & Professional Association SourcesStrengths
Weaknesses
Search tips
Scholarly ArticlesStrengths
Weaknesses
Search tips
Books (e.g., Canadian Fundamentals of Nursing)Strengths
Weaknesses
Tips for finding books
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Is this source reliable?
Why it matters: Credible = trustworthy. Using credible sources strengthens your assignments and shows you are a trustworthy writer (and future nurse).
Video explainer: What makes a source “credible” and why credibility matters for your assignments.
Why it matters: Credible = trustworthy. Using credible sources strengthens your work and shows you are a trustworthy writer (and future nurse).
Instead of just scrolling down one page, open new tabs and see what others say.
Watch this short video from Galvin Library to see lateral reading in action.
Example: You read an article about a new diet trend claiming to prevent diabetes. Before sharing it, open another tab and check what CBC News Health or a peer review journal article says about it. This way you confirm the facts, see other perspectives, and understand the nuance.
Even credible-looking sources can mislead.
This infographic offers questions you can ask yourself to check whether a source is trustworthy. These ideas apply to any kind of source, not just avoiding fake news.
Source: International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA), 2017. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
A short tutorial from Concordia Library showing how to assess websites found through Google searches. Using examples like government pages, organizational reports, and news articles, it explains why these are not considered scholarly sources and when they may or may not be appropriate for assignments.