Evaluating Sources
How do I know if something is relevant?
The best way to do that is to read the whole article or book. However, during the research process, there isn’t always time to do that. Whenever possible, you should take advantage of tools such as subject headings/descriptors and abstract.
A subject heading (sometimes known as a descriptor) is a standardized term, usually a word or a phrase used to describe what the article or book is about. There are usually several subject headings per book or article. Subject headings exist in order to organize a collection of information.
An abstract is a short summary of what the article or book is about.
Other tools for books you should use are a table of contents and the index once you find the book on shelf.
An important step in evaluating a resource is determining if it is considered scholarly. This distinction will need to be made for books, as well as articles.
Finding information & sources generally isn't a problem for students - finding quality, reliable sources tends to be more of a challenge.
It's important for you to take the time to evaluate the sources you discover in the course of your research.
The C.R.A.P. Test is one way of evaluating information, by focusing on the Currency, Relevance, Authority & Purpose or Point-of-View.
