Identifying and Evaluating
Sources
WORKING TOWARDS THE ANNOTATED
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RESEARCH PAPER
Exploratory Research
 List all potential key terms.
 Do a preliminary search in our library database.
 When you get stuck, approach the topic from
different angles.
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Browse key terms and abstracts of articles to add to your
search terms.
Use a web search browser to find additional words or
approaches.
 Try, try again.
 Jot down awesome ideas as they arise.
Using Research to Focus your Topic
 What kinds of conversations are people having?
 Which conversations are relevant or interesting to
you?
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Use your research as a way to begin to narrow your topic
and find a more specific research question.
Framing your topic as a question will move you closer to
creating your thesis or central argument.
Examples of Research Questions
 Courtesy of Cheryl Kojima
 Calligraphy
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Scrapbooking
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What sparks their interest in getting the latest things?
Why is a certain object worth so much?
Is it really just a hobby, or is it an addiction? How does the brain cope with this?
Chef/Baker
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How has it changed/developed over time?
Where did it come from and how did we adopt it?
Collectors (Shoe and Game Card Collectors)
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Why is calligraphy so important to Chinese culture?
How has it developed or changed over time?
Does it have any “relaxation” effects on the mind and body?
What is the difference between people who like to follow recipes and people who
like to experiment?
Why do people love to cook/bake?
Tennis Players
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How has the sport grown over time?
What goes through the brain of a tennis player during a game?
Why are games always so intense and quiet?
Why Evaluate Sources?
 Why is it important to evaluate sources . . .
 . . . in academic research or your professional life?
 . . . in everyday life or more informal research?
 . . . in this course – and for this essay?
Evaluating Sources using Critical Thinking
 (Most) sources are not inherently “good” or “bad.”
 Often, our evaluation of sources is context-specific.
 Example Source: A mommy blogger talking about nutrition
and development.
When might this be considered unreliable? When might it be
useful?
 What information would your reader need if you used this source
in your essay?
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Evaluating Sources in Context
 In academic settings, however, some sources are
considered more reliable.
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More reliable:
Less reliable:
Evaluating Sources Using ABCD
 Authority: Who created the content? What makes this
author credible, accountable, or an authority on the
topic?
 Bias: What is the purpose and standpoint of this source?
Is the bias clear or veiled? What is the source’s purpose?
Is it educational, commercial, or designed for
entertainment?
 Currency: When was this source created? Is this
information still relevant?
 Documentation: How well does this source support
the information it provides? What kinds of citations or
references (if any) does it use?