Source Evaluation

As you locate sources, do an INITIAL APPRAISAL of each source. Consider:

• The AUTHOR: What are the author’s credentials, institutional affiliation, educational background, past writings or experience, area of expertise?
• DATE OF PUBLICATION:  Is the source current or out-of-date for your topic? Note that if you are comparing the development of your topic through time, you may purposefully choose sources that were published a long time ago.
• PUBLISHER: If the source is published by a university press, it is likely to be scholarly. Although the fact that the publisher is reputable does not necessarily guarantee quality, it does show that the publisher may have high regard for the source being published.
• THE JOURNAL: Is it a scholarly journal?

 

As you read through the sources, do a CONTENT ANALYSIS. Consider:

• INTENDED AUDIENCE:  Is the publication aimed at a specialized or a general audience?
• OBJECTIVE REASONING: Is the information covered fact, opinion, or propaganda? Facts can usually be verified; opinions, though they may be based on factual information, evolve from the interpretation of facts.   Does the information appear to be valid and well-researched, or is it questionable and unsupported by evidence? Assumptions should be reasonable. Note errors or omissions. Are the ideas and arguments more or less in line with other works you have read on the same topic? Is the author's point of view objective and impartial?
• COVERAGE:  Does the work update other sources, substantiate other materials you have read, or add new information? You should explore enough sources to obtain a variety of viewpoints. Is the material primary or secondary in nature?
• WRITING STYLE:  Is the publication organized logically? Are the main points clearly presented? Do you find the text easy to read, or is it stilted or choppy? Is the author's argument repetitive?