Evaluating Sources
What factors should I use to evaluate a source?Evaluate relevance. Does the information in the source help me address me readers needs, interests, values, and beliefs?
Evaluate evidence. Is enough evidence offered that there are no flaws in the authors argument? Is the right kind of evidence offered? Meaning that it is important to the point being made. How was the evidence gathered? Is the evidence used fairly? Are there alternative interpretations? Is the source of the evidence provided?
Evaluate the author. Is the author knowledgeable about the topic? What is the authors affiliation? How do the authors biases affect the information, ideas, and arguments in the source?
Evaluate the publisher. How can I locate information about the publisher? How do the publisher's biases affect the information, ideas, and arguments in the source?
Evaluate Timeliness. Is the publication date relevant for the time period my project is based around?
Evaluate comprehensiveness. What is the extent to which the source provides a complete and balanced view of the topic?
Evaluate genre. What style of writing does the genre use? How is the evidence used? How is the genre organized? What citation style is used? How is the document designed?
Should I evaluate all types of sources in the same way?
Evaluate the relevance and credibility of digital sources. Web sites and blogs, Social networking sites, wikis, all of these are subject to manipulation by almost anybody. Check the URL and sources used for these before quoting in my paper.
Evaluate the relevance and accuracy of field sources. Are the questions asked relevant to my research project? Are my notes as complete as I had hoped? Are the individuals I corresponded with as qualified as I had expected? Were questions in interviews answered fully and honestly?
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