One of the most challenging pieces of a research project can be choosing a topic. If your professor has assigned you a topic, you're ready to start researching; if not, here are some tips to help you get started:
It is best to begin researching with a broad scope and narrow down your sources as you learn more about your topic.
You've found some resources for your paper, but how do you know if they're appropriate? Try these five criteria to help evaluate sources:
Purpose
• What stated goals or objectives does this resource meet?
• Is its purpose commercial, educational, informative or personal?
• How detailed and factual is the information versus opinion-based?
• Is the information balanced or colored with a political, commercial, or
religious point of view?
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Accuracy
• Does the author provide factual information verifiable in other resources?
• Is the information clear, legible, well organized and error-free?
• Does the author cite his/her sources? Are research methods explained?
• Is an editor, reviewer or collaborator named who verified content?
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Coverage
• Are topics in this resource analyzed in depth or just summarized?
• Does the resource cover all aspects of a topic or state the criteria for
select coverage?
• Does this work substantiate other sources or update other information?
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Currency
• When was the resource produced and/or updated?
• If the resource is a website, are the links active and current?
• Is the resource referenced by other sources?
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This guide was adapted from a resource available at Indiana Wesleyan University.