Chapter 42: Evaluating Sources
As you gather sources, the textbook Successful Writing explains that you will need to examine them with a critical eye. Smart researchers continually ask themselves two questions: “Is this source relevant to my purpose?” and “Is this source reliable?” The first question will help you avoid wasting valuable time reading sources that stray too far from your specific topic and research questions. The second question will help you find accurate, trustworthy sources.
Determining Whether a Source is Relevant
To weed through your stack of books and articles, skim their contents with your research questions and subtopics in mind. Table 32.1 “Tips for Skimming Books and Articles” explains how skimming can help you obtain a quick sense of what topics are covered. If a book or article is not especially relevant, put it aside. You can always come back to it later if you need to.
| Tips for Skimming Books | Tips for Skimming Articles |
|---|---|
| 1. Read the dust jacket and table of contents for a broad overview of the topics covered. | 1. Skim the introduction and conclusion for summary material. |
| 2. Use the index to locate more specific topics and see how thoroughly they are covered. | 2. Skim through subheadings and text features such as sidebars. |
| 3. Flip through the book and look for subtitles or key terms that correspond to your research. | 3. Look for keywords related to your topic. |
| 4. Journal articles often begin with an abstract or summary of the contents. Read it to determine the article’s relevance to your research. |
Determining Whether a Source is Reliable
All information sources are not created equally. Sources can vary greatly in terms of how carefully they are researched, written, edited, and reviewed for accuracy. Common sense will help you identify obviously questionable sources, such as tabloids that feature tales of alien abductions or personal websites with glaring typos. Sometimes, a source’s reliability—or lack of it—is not so obvious. Watch the following video and answer the questions to test your knowledge.
To evaluate your research sources, use critical thinking skills consciously and deliberately. You will consider criteria such as the type of source, its intended purpose and audience, the author’s (or authors’) qualifications, the publication’s reputation, any indications of bias or hidden agendas, how current the source is, and the overall quality of the writing, thinking, and design.
Evaluating Types of Sources
The different types of sources you will consult are written for distinct purposes and with different audiences in mind. This accounts for other differences, such as the following:
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How thoroughly the writers cover a given topic.
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How carefully the writers’ research and document facts.
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How editors review the work.
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What biases or agendas affect the content.
A journal article written for an academic audience for the purpose of expanding scholarship in a given field will take an