How to Evaluate the Sources You Find

Evaluating the sources you find is a crucial step in the process of library research. The questions you ask about books, periodical articles, or multimedia sources are similar whether you're looking at a citation to the item or have the item in hand.  How to Critically Analyze Information Sources lists some of the critical questions you should ask when you consider the appropriateness of a particular book, article, or media resource for your research. Distinguishing Scholarly from Non Scholarly Periodicals: A Checklist of Criteria shows how to evaluate periodicals by looking at their format, intended audience, and appearance. Evaluating Internet Resources: The World Wide Web has a lot to offer, but not all sources are equally valuable or reliable. This guide from the University of Albany Library lists criteria to help you judge for yourself about a web site. You are ready for the next step: Citing What You Have Found.  Return to the Seven Steps of the Research Process Return to Library Research Guide