| Library >> Services >> How Do I >> Evaluate Research Resources >> |
How to Evaluate Research Resources
There are several factors to keep in mind when selecting resources for research papers:
Author
- Review the author’s qualifications, such as education and previous works.
Publisher
- Evaluate the authority of the source. Is the work published by an academic source such as a university or a scholarly society, or other reputable sources such as government or non-profit agencies?
- For journals, is the journal peer reviewed?
- Be skeptical about materials published on the internet—anyone can be their own publisher.
Purpose
- For whom and for what reason was the material published?
- Evaluate the intended audience of the work. Is it addressed to scholars or a more general audience?
Currency
- Take note of when the material was published. Is the information still current or has it become outdated?
Content/Accuracy
- Evaluate the depth of coverage for the particular topic.
- Ensure that facts can be verified, and that the work includes a bibliography.
- Evaluate the objectivity of the work: does it examine all sides of the issue?
- Is the material a primary source (such as a new research study) or a secondary source (material which analyses or describes research done by others)?
