Reputable sources (sometimes called reliable sources) rely on the reputation of their publication (ex. newspaper or journal) or institution (ex. US Department of Agriculture) for having high standards of researching, fact-checking, accountability, and ethical reporting.
Ex. Wall Street Journal or New York Times
Credible sources rely on the expertise of the author to know the topic completely. An expert should either have a higher degree (master's or doctorate) in the field they are writing, or they should have considerable first-hand experience with the topic.
Ex. A medical doctor writes about the importance of vaccinating children OR a firefighter talking about their experience putting out wildfires.
Scholarly sources are written by experts and are written for other experts to help them further their research and understanding. They often have a long references list at the end and are sometimes peer-reviewed.
Ex. A medical doctor writes about a study she conducted on overweight mice in an academic journal
Still unsure? Ask a librarian!
