Evaluation Triage
On-the-spot triage is a quick decision when you first encounter a source, whether on a shelf, in a journal, or a list of search results on a screen.
Triage begins by looking at your hits and then you may look further to one or all of the following:
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Article:
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Title
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Abstract
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Introduction
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Literature Review
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Research Methodology
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Discussion or Findings
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Conclusion
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Graphs and charts
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References
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Book:
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Table of Contents
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First and last chapters
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Index
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Bibliography
Level I Triage = No relevance or no evidence that is useful
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Move on to something else - don't waste your time
Level II Triage = Source has potential
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Save it - download, print or email it to yourself
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Read further and take notes
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What do you see that might be used for your argument? (note the page and paragraph)
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Does it agree or disagree with your argument? Support or refute your point?
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Keep a record of the full citation and how you found it.
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Give it a rating or score. (Using a scale of 1-3, if it is the best source you have found so far rate it a 3, if it is not the best of your sources rate it with a lesser number.)
Level III Triage = Central to your argument, point, question or thesis
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If the source is central to your point then annotate it by reading carefully.
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Highlight quotes you may use.
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Follow the sources in the Bibliography to find additional information.
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Confirm accuracy and authority.
Credit: George, Mary W. The Elements of Library Research: What Every Student Needs to Know. Princeton, N.J., Princeton University Press, 2008, pp. 131-133.
