Choosing sources is a practical research skill. The Terry Pratchett example shows that a source can be excellent for one question and unsuitable for another, so authority must be judged against the subject being investigated. Citations reveal both the tools a student used and whether the work moved beyond the assigned reading list into independent research. Evaluating evidence this way provides a foundation for an academic or historical argument.
Chapter · 1:12-2:46
Source reliability and why citations matter
Relevance, reliability, and visible citations distinguish usable research from an attractive but unsuitable source.