Evaluate what you find
References recommended on reading lists will already have been evaluated for quality. You will need to evaluate sources that you find yourself. Think critically about the information you find. The quality of your information will help to determine the quality of your assignment.
Below are some general criteria to use when evaluating information:
Quantity
- Do you have enough information to support your argument?
Relevance
- Does the information answer your assignment question?
- Is the information at the appropriate level for your needs (is it too complicated, too basic?)
Quality
This can be difficult to determine. Some questions to consider when asessing the quality of a resource are:
- What are the author's credentials/qualifications?
- Who published the item? (academic organization or commercial)
- Is the information peer-reviewed?
- What is the purpose of the publication?
- Does the information appear to be well researched? (Is there a bibliography? Is there an explanation of methodology?)
- Is the author's point of view objective? Is the language free of bias?
- Is there a bibliography or list of references?
Date
- When was the source published?
- Is the source current or out-of-date for your topic? Check with your Lecturer about what is regarded as current in the field.
Other sources:
Critically Analyzing Information
Sources (Cornell University Library)
Evaluating Information (Gale Student Resource Centre)
Make sure you keep details of the sources that you read. You will need this information for your reference list or bibliography.