Kean University Library
Guidelines for Selecting Sources to be Cited in a Research Paper
Critical Evaluation of Information Sources
Information may be found in many types of sources, including books, journals, magazines,
newspapers, and freely available Web sites. Some journal, magazine, and newspaper articles are
available online through the Library’s Databases. However, not every source of information relating
to a topic—whether a Library source or information found at a Web site—is equally suitable for a
research project. All sources, not just Web sites, must be carefully examined to determine whether
or not they provide reliable, accurate, and relevant information. It is important to evaluate each
source in an effort to weed out the ones that are inappropriate for a research project.
When evaluating potential sources of information, consider the following criteria and questions:
Authority
 Who is the author of the book, the article, or the information presented on the Web site?
 Are any credentials listed for the author, and is this person qualified to present
information on this topic?
 Has the document been published by a reputable institution, organization, or company?
A few hints:
~For Web sites, look for the domain indicated by the URL’s suffix: .edu for university and college
Web sites; .gov for government Web sites; .org for organization and association Web sites; and
.com for company or personal Web sites.
~For organization Web sites, check reference works like the Encyclopedia of Associations
(REF AS 22 .E5) to gather background information on the organization.
Currency
 When was the book, article, or Web site published or created?
 Has the information been revised or updated so that the material remains up-to-date?
 Are links to other Web sites no longer working?
Objectivity
 What is the purpose of this publication? For instance, does the document seek to provide
information, to sway the opinion of the reader, to sell something, or to entertain or amuse?
 Is the content based solely upon the author’s opinion, and is there a discernible bias?
 Is this document intended for a scholarly or a popular audience?
Accuracy
 Can the facts and statistics presented in the document be verified in other sources?
 Are grammatical and spelling errors evident?
Coverage
 Does the author provide cursory or extensive coverage of a topic?
 Does the article, book, or Web site include a bibliography that documents the sources of
words or ideas presented in the text?
Carefully examine the answers compiled for the questions listed above. These answers—and
their relationship to a research project’s requirements—should provide the information needed to
decide whether or not a source is suitable for a particular project. ***Always remember to give
credit for each selected source in a bibliography and footnotes or in-text citations.***
Differences among Scholarly, Popular, and Trade Sources
Characteristics of Scholarly Journals
 Articles written by school
Characteristics of Popular Magazines
 “Serious” appearance with few bright
colors.
 Articles are written by scholars, whose
academic credentials are mentioned.
 Prior to publication, articles are
typically “peer-reviewed” by other experts
in the academic discipline.
 Articles are meant to be read by other
scholars and students.
 Articles contain scholarly language
relating to the academic discipline.
 Articles represent a form of scholarly
communication as authors report on their
scholarly research.
 Articles end with a list of references to
other scholarly journal articles and books.
 “Glossy” appearance with photographs,
advertisements, and catchy article
titles.
 Articles are written by journalists and
magazine staff writers.
 Articles are meant to be read by the
general public.
 Articles contain language for the
layperson.
 Articles seek to entertain or to report
on current events and topics of general
interest.
 Articles are usually relatively brief.
 Articles usually do not include a
bibliography.
Examples include:
Journal of Interdisciplinary History
Developmental Psychology
American Journal of Nursing
Examples include:
Newsweek
Fortune
The Atlantic Monthly
The New Yorker
Characteristics of Trade Journals
 “Glossy” appearance with
advertisements relating to a particular
industry.
 Articles are written by industry
experts and professional staff writers.
 Articles are meant to be read by
workers in the industry.
 Articles report on news and trends
relevant to the industry.
 Articles usually do not include a
bibliography.
Examples include:
Advertising Age
Graphic Arts Monthly
Management Today
Copyright © 2007. Kean University Library.
Compiled by Linda Cifelli. December 2007.