Evaluating Resources
What is a scholarly source? How can you
tell if your source is reliable?
Does it provide the necessary documentation for APA citation?
What Is a Scholarly Source?
Sources consulted for scholarly papers generally
· have been reviewed by professional experts (peers, juries) in the field of study,
· contain content regarded as scholarly by professionals in the field,
· are archived (stored for availability) for a significant length of time, and
· provide full documentation for citation and retrieval
The best way to limit your research to scholarly sources is to rely on professional or university databases, indexes, and catalogues. On the Internet, for example, search engines like Yahoo, Google, or Lycos yield a range of sources, from scholarly to downright silly. Aggregate databases such as ProQuest, Psych Info, or ERIC are limited, for the most part, to scholarly sources that are adequately documented. Terms to look for when limiting your search are peer reviewed, juried, or refereed.
A university librarian can help you limit your searches to scholarly sources.
A List of Online Resources for Evaluating Reliability of Sources
Evaluating Sources of Information
Purdue University Online Writing Lab
"Research: Critically Read and Evaluate the Sources"
In How to Write a Research Paper, Purdue University OWL
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: or Why It's a Good Idea to Evaluate Web Sources
New Mexico State University Library
With Link to "Scholarly Journals, Magazines, Trade Journals: What's the difference?"
Virginia Commonwealth University
The Writing Center at Colorado State University
Evaluating Sources of Information
San Diego State University Library &Information Access
Evaluating Sources: Can I Really Trust This Information?
University of Georgia
St. John's University/College of St. Benedict, Minnesota
ON READING AND UNDERSTANDING ACADEMIC ARTICLES:
Coming to Grips with Reading and Writing Academic Articles
Amanda Graham, Yukon College
Contact Us Writing Center Home
© 2004 The Writing Center, Saint Mary’s University of
Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus
Updated August 2004