How can you determine the credibility of research from international organizations?

1 Identify the organization

The first step is to identify the organization that produced the research. What is its mission, vision, and values? What are its goals and objectives? How is it funded and governed? How does it select and conduct its research projects? These questions can help you assess the organization's credibility, reputation, and transparency. You can look for information on the organization's website, annual reports, publications, and media coverage.

2 Check the sources

The second step is to check the sources that the research uses. What are the primary and secondary sources of data and information? How are they collected, analyzed, and presented? How are they cited and referenced? Are they relevant, accurate, and current? Are they consistent and coherent? Are they peer-reviewed and verified by other experts? These questions can help you verify the quality, validity, and reliability of the sources.

3 Evaluate the methods

The third step is to evaluate the methods that the research employs. What are the research questions, hypotheses, and objectives? What are the research design, methodology, and framework? How are the data and information processed, interpreted, and synthesized? How are the results, findings, and conclusions drawn and reported? Are they clear, logical, and objective? Are they supported by evidence and arguments? Are they aligned with the research questions and objectives? These questions can help you examine the rigor, relevance, and objectivity of the methods.

4 Compare the perspectives

The fourth step is to compare the perspectives that the research offers. What are the main arguments, claims, and recommendations that the research makes? How do they relate to the existing literature, theories, and debates on the topic? How do they address the gaps, limitations, and challenges in the field? How do they contribute to the knowledge, understanding, and action on the issue? Are they balanced, fair, and unbiased? Are they aware of the assumptions, biases, and values that may influence the research? These questions can help you assess the originality, significance, and implications of the perspectives.

5 Apply the criteria

The fifth step is to apply the criteria that can help you judge the credibility of research from international organizations. Some of the common criteria are authority, accuracy, currency, coverage, purpose, and audience. Authority refers to the qualifications, expertise, and reputation of the organization and the researchers. Accuracy refers to the correctness, validity, and reliability of the data, information, and arguments. Currency refers to the timeliness, relevance, and update of the research. Coverage refers to the scope, depth, and completeness of the research. Purpose refers to the goals, objectives, and intentions of the research. Audience refers to the target, expectations, and needs of the readers or users of the research. These criteria can help you weigh the strengths and weaknesses of the research.

6 Seek feedback

The sixth step is to seek feedback from other sources and experts on the research. How do other organizations, researchers, and stakeholders view and evaluate the research? What are their opinions, comments, and critiques? How do they agree or disagree with the research? How do they use or apply the research? What are the alternative or complementary perspectives or methods that they suggest or propose? These questions can help you broaden your perspective, challenge your assumptions, and improve your critical thinking skills.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?