1. What is Authoritative Information?
HLT1IPP
La Trobe University Library
College of Science, Health & Engineering

2. 2La Trobe University
What is Authoritative Information?
Let’s look at a definition of ‘authoritative’
“able to be trusted as being accurate or true; reliable...”[1]
The term credible is sometimes used in place of authoritative to refer to
reliable sources of information
An authority on a subject is a recognised expert
[1] Authoritative. (2010). In A. Stevenson (Ed.). Oxford dictionary of English. Retrieved from http://0-
www.oxfordreference.com.alpha2.latrobe.edu.au/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t140.e0049870

3. 3La Trobe University
What types of authoritative information should I be using for
my university assignments?
University assignments require you to use authoritative
information from recognised experts, which is created in
 academic books
 scholarly journal articles
 reports from government departments
and reputable organisations

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How do I choose the most appropriate books?
 Start with enquiry guides provided by your subject
 Search your university library www.latrobe.edu.au/library
 Choose books which are published recently, as they will
be based on up-to-date research

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Sources for definitions of key terms
 Searching for definitions is a good way to begin an assignment
 A range of authoritative sources is available for definitions as follows:
• Dictionaries and encyclopedias available via the Library – online & print
• Glossaries from credible organisations or industry reports
• Books or journal articles on the topic available via the Library

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But what are scholarly journal articles?
Most journal articles you need are
available online via the Library
databases and homepage
www.latrobe.edu.au/library
They are:
 written by subject experts
 published in scholarly journals
 required to meet certain criteria
in order to be published, and
some undergo extra checking by
experts, so are ‘peer-reviewed’
They include:
 the latest research
 an abstract at the start
 references to other experts in a
reference list and within the text
 volume and issue number

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How do I find appropriate reports?
 Authoritative information in reports will be generally found on the internet
 Search the internet for information from particular types of organisations
̶ Government departments: look for .gov in the url
̶ Professional associations look for .asn in the url
̶ Educational institutions: look for .edu in the url
̶ Not-for-profit organisations set up to support a particular condition or
issue: look for .org in the url
 You can even specify the type of organisation you want when searching
e.g. type in your keywords and type site:.gov.au at the end

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What about these?
Are they appropriate sources to use for an assignment?*
Lecture notes: NO – you need to find the original source that the lecturer would have
referred to when presenting the information in the lecture
Chat with your auntie who is a nurse: NO – you can use a chat with your auntie to get
some ideas but you generally can’t use personal communication quotes for health
sciences assignments
Blog: NO – not an acceptable source for health sciences assignments. They are generally
opinion-based rather than research and evidence-based
Wikipedia: NO – entries in Wikipedia can be changed and updated by anyone
Online fact sheets (like Better Health Channel): NO – they are not appropriate
references for a health sciences assignment. They generally provide consumer
information
*This guidance may differ if the requirements of an assignment specified the use of any of these or other types of sources
like newspaper articles

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Searching for Authoritative Information – Key points
Start with what’s recommended in the subject enquiry guide
After using what’s recommended, extend your search by:
 using Library search tools
 looking in reference lists of readings set by course
 searching the internet in a credible way – evaluate internet information
carefully before using it in assignments
 checking sources against each other
Use a variety of types of resources (if not specified) – some books,
book chapters, some journal articles, some credible internet
sources - be guided by task requirements

10. 10La Trobe University
Information Literacy Health Sciences Modules
http://latrobe.libguides.com/health_sci
Access: Library homepage > LibGuides > + Health Sciences > scroll to Information…
Search Smart!
These modules provide guidance to search effectively appropriate
authoritative information for your assignments

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Library Help
 Chat to Library Staff www.latrobe.edu.au/library/chat
 Library FAQ www.latrobe.edu.au/library/faq
 Contact Us
• Help Zone desk in person at your campus Library
• Librarian phone and email – College of Science, Health and Engineering
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/library/contact-us/librarian-phone-and-email