Source Evaluation Check:
Each of the questions on this page will help you apply standards to your research.
1. Does this work for me?
DO THIS: go back and read your assignment. Answer the following questions:
2. Who Wrote This?
Who is/are the authors? Are they qualified to write on this topic? Does their background, resume or current activity make them more or less credible on this topic?
DO THIS: Do a quick search for an author's bio or cv (= academic resume). You can also check to see whether the author has written any other articles, papers or books on the same topic.
Make sure websites provide you with the name of the actual author (not just the webmaster).
Can't tell who the author is? You should never use information that you can't verify in an academic paper.
3. Who published this?
DO THIS: find a description of the publisher of your book or article, or find their website. What is their mission? What types of things do they publish, and who is their audience?
OK to use: art history book by Yale University Press.
Why? University publishers produce academic-quality books that have been written by experts in the field, and have been fact-checked before they are published.
Questionable: book on Susan B. Anthony by Scholastic Publishing.
Why? Scholastic is actually a publisher that produces books for K-12 schools. The information in the book will be accurate, but for a college paper you can find a book that's more at your level.
Questionable: book on the Civil War published by Author House.
Why? Author House is a website that helps people self-publish: anyone can write a book and publish via Author House. No fact-checking, no guarantee of subject expertise.
Online:
4. When did they publish it?
DO THIS: find a date. Ask yourself:
5. What's in it for them?
DO THIS: use information about the author and publisher to determine whether they may have a bias about your topic.
If they do, you will have to make this clear in your paper when you use any information from their writing. Ask yourself:
6. Can I verify it?
DO THIS:
1. check for sources. Do the authors use citations, do they provide references and/or a bibliography?
2. check a few facts from the information against a reliable source, for example, an encyclopedia. The library subscribes to Credo Reference, and has encyclopedias in the first-floor reference section.
What is peer review?
Peer reviewed articles (also sometimes called refereed articles or scholarly articles) require that experts in the field must first examine the article before it is accepted for publication. This ensures that the research is current, complete, and of high quality.
Tips for finding peer reviewed journals and articles:
1. Find the journal's website, read the description of the journal and the information they provide to authors. Look for information on whether it has an editorial board, and who is on that board: are they other scholars?
2. Ask a librarian at the Reference Desk or at askref@hollins.edu.
Popular vs. scholarly: which is it?
Your assignment may require you to use scholarly, or peer-reviewed, journal articles for your bibliography. What are these articles, and what makes them different from articles from magazines like Time?
|
Scholarly journal |
Trade/professional pub |
Popular magazine |
Appearance |
Plain cover/plain paper; black/white graphics and illustrations |
Cover may depict industry setting; glossy; color |
Eye-catching cover; glossy; pics and illustrations in color |
Content |
Long articles, providing in-depth analysis of topics. Style: research projects, methodology, and theory. |
Shorter articles, often providing broad trends. Style: Industry trends, products or techniques, organizational news |
Shorter articles, often providing broad trends. Style: personalities, news, opinions, general interest |
Authors | Usually an expert in the field: name and credentials are provided. | Usually a journalist, staff writer or editor: name is only sometimes provided. | Usually a journalist, staff writer or editor: name is only sometimes provided. |
Audience |
Academic or professional; professors, researchers, students |
Members of specific business, industry, or organization |
General public |
Peer reviewed?* |
Yes |
Rarely |
No |
Bibliography |
Always |
Maybe – sometimes have short bibliographies |
Never |
Advertisements |
Few or none |
Moderate – most will be trade-related |
Heavy |
Abstract |
Yes |
Maybe |
No |
Writing style |
Specialized vocabulary or jargon; may require training or subject expertise to understand |
Specialized vocabulary or jargon; may require training or subject expertise to understand |
Vocabulary that can be understood by general public |
Examples |
Communication Research Journal of Communication Journalism History |
Advertising Age Editor & Publisher |
Time Sports Illustrated Vanity Fair |