Evaluating sources - should it stay or should it go?
Evaluating a source is important. The goal is to decide if the source relates to your topic or research question. Will it work well for your assignment? Will you be able to use it in your project? Here are some techniques for choosing the most useful sources.
Watch: Evaluating sources
Skim the library databases
Read the abstract or summary, and glance at the introduction, headings, conclusion. At the end of the article, look at the references.
Ask the 5W questions (who, what, when, where, and why)
- Who created or wrote the source? Can you trust the authors based on their credentials? Do a quick Google search to find out more on the author’s background.
- What kind of source is it? Can you tell which type of source you are looking at? Is it a scholarly article? A news article? Instructors generally prefer a variety of sources.
- When was it published? Depending on your topic you might want current sources, older sources, or a mix. For example, a topic of artificial intelligence might benefit from looking at recent sources
- Where was it published? You will need to determine if the source is from a reputable site or publisher. Google the journal, magazine, or newspaper title to learn more.
- Why was it created? To share new research, to entertain, to give an opinion?
What are “scholarly sources” exactly?
You may want (or be required) to find “scholarly” or “peer-reviewed" sources. What does this mean? Why is it important?
Watch: How scholarly research gets published in peer-reviewed journals and where to find it all