Skip to Main Content

ENGL 111: English Composition - McCormick

This guide has suggestions for conducting research for your second paper.

Evaluating Sources

Currency

  • When was the source written or published?
  • Has the information been updated?
  • Is the information out of date for your topic?
  • Are the links functional?

 

Relevance

  • Is the information relevant to your research?
  • To what extent does the information answer your research question?
  • Who is the intended audience?
  • Is the information at an appropriate level?

Authority

  • Is the author a person, company or organization?
  • Can you determine if the author is an expert on the topic?
  • Is contact information included?
  • Does the URL reveal anything?

Accuracy

  • Does the information seem accurate?
  • Is the information supported by evidence?
  • Can you verify the information?
  • Hs the information been peer-reviewed?
  • Does the language seem unbiased?
  • Are there spelling, grammatical or other typographical errors?

Purpose

  • Is the purpose to inform? teach? sell? entertain? persuade?
  • Do the authors make their intentions clear?
  • Is the point of view objective and impartial?
  • Are there obvious biases?
  • Who is the intended audience?