English 1301 (Flex classes) - Koehler, Debra: Inquiry Research Essay

When choosing a document to support our writing, we must bring a certain amount of skepticism and always be questioning the value of our sources.  Not all sources are created equal and not all sources are worthy to be included in our work.

So how do we know what documents are worthy and valuable and which ones might be questionable in support of our arguments?

We start by:

• reading like a detective looking for clues to an unsolved crime
• questioning like a reporter conducting an interview  
• looking for bias - be suspicious! Bias conveys partiality, favoritism, bigotry, preferences, preconception, and unfairness
• considering the tone, style, level of information and assumptions made by the author about the reader

Here are general questions you should ask when evaluating

print sources and websites. 

What to look for in books and periodicals:

• Currency: What is the publication date of the resource? 
• Authority: Who is the author and publisher? 
• Validity/Accuracy: Is the information accurate or valid?
• Audience: Who was the resource written for? 
• Point of view (bias): What is the resource's point of view?

What to look for in web sites:

• Currency: When was the website last updated?
• Authority: Who is the author or creator?
• Validity/Accuracy: Is the information accurate or valid?
• Audience: Who was the website created for?
• Point of view (bias): What is the website's point of view?

More Info: http://lis101.com/a-usable-source-rubric-with-caveats/

A Guide to Understanding Sources