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4. Evaluating Sources
Evaluating sources of information to make sure they are credible helps you ensure that you have a solid foundation for the ideas you are putting forth in your researched writing.
Video
Deciding whether a source is credible
Asking basic informational questions will help you decide whether a source is credible enough to use in your research.
Example
Evaluate the usefulness of a source: checking the author, date, and publication information
Three aspects of a source provide much of the information you need in order to evaluate the usefulness of a source.
Quizzes
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1.
Checking an author’s credentials
Know how to identify a source author’s credentials.
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2.
Deciding which source to use
Think about which sources would work best for different kinds of research papers.
Video
Recognizing bias
A writer’s intent and language can clue you into a source’s bias, or slant, on the information.
Example
Read for opinion and bias in sources
The writer’s purpose for writing and the language used to achieve that purpose affect whether an opinionated source is too biased to use.
Quizzes
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1.
Determining an author’s credibility
Figure out what makes an author credible.
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2.
Using sources to write an objective paper
Learn how to recognize bias in sources and your own writing.
Video
Evaluating print sources
The author, publisher, and publication date all have a role in evaluating sources such as books and articles you access in print.
Example
Consult Wikipedia, encyclopedias, and other reference works when appropriate
Knowing how and when to use Wikipedia and encyclopedias in your research process is crucial in preparing a bibliography that demonstrates your specialized knowledge.
Quizzes
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1.
Using print sources
Pay attention to some basic elements of print sources in order to evaluate them.
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2.
Finding credible print sources
Search effectively for credible print sources.
Video
Evaluating web sources
Slowing down to check for not-so-minor details is a key aspect of evaluating sources you find online.
Example
Evaluate Web sources carefully
From the way you access online sources to the kinds of information they provide, web pages can be authoritative sources or mere quackery.
Quizzes
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1.
Using websites
Know how to navigate through a website to find the information you need to evaluate it.
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2.
Using search engines
Understand how search engines work and how to evaluate the sources you’ll find on the results page.
Video
Recognizing scholarly articles in print and online
You can use the features of a scholarly article as a check to be sure you are citing the most respected sources available.
Example
Distinguish between sources: popular magazines versus scholarly journals
Distinguishing popular magazines from scholarly journals will allow you to make well-reasoned decisions about which sources make most sense in your research situation.
Quizzes
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1.
Using encyclopedia sources
Use online and print encyclopedias carefully to maintain your own credibility in a research paper.
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2.
Evaluating scholarly journal article
Find and use scholarly articles to help make your paper authoritative.