källors

Källor, or sources, are the origins of information used to support statements in a text. They provide evidence, enable verification, and show the context in which ideas emerged. In academia, sources are categorized as primary, secondary, and tertiary: primary sources include original data or documents; secondary sources synthesize or interpret primary materials; tertiary sources summarize widely accepted knowledge, such as encyclopedias or handbooks.

Assessing sources involves källkritik, or source criticism, which evaluates authority, accuracy, bias, currency, and relevance. Authority considers the credibility of authors and institutions; accuracy checks if the information can be verified against other sources; bias examines perspective and purpose; currency looks at timeliness; coverage considers scope and completeness.

Citations and references connect the text to its sources, enabling readers to locate the original material. Common conventions include author–date or numeric systems, with details provided in a bibliography or reference list. Digital sources should include stable identifiers such as DOIs and archived URLs when possible.

Good practice in using källor includes selecting diverse, reliable sources; prioritizing primary materials when feasible; cross-checking claims; and avoiding overreliance on a single source. Proper attribution helps prevent plagiarism and demonstrates scholarly diligence.

Swedish academic writing often emphasizes explicit källkritik and transparent sourcing. By maintaining a clear chain from claim to source, writers enable verification and further exploration by readers.