When doing research, it is important to find information that is reliable and appropriate for your assignment.
Some assignments may require you to use certain types of sources such as primary or secondary sources, or specific types of periodicals such as scholarly journals. Other assignments may require you to limit the number sources you use. Often Internet sources fall into this category.
In all cases, you should always evaluate the information included in your assignments. This handout can help!
Why Evaluate?
Knowing how to evaluate information will help you with research assignments and also with the bigger decisions you make in life.
Knowing how to find relevant, reliable, and accurate information can help you make informed decisions about things like college, a new car purchase, financial aid options, daycare choices, and more.
When doing research, you should use a variety of sources such as books, articles from newspapers, magazines, or journals, and websites. To ensure you are including only valid information in your research, evaluate your sources using the criteria below.
| Criteria | Questions to Ask |
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Authority / Credibility |
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Accuracy |
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Scope / Relevance |
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| Currency / Date Some written works are ageless (e.g., classic literature) while others (e.g., technological news) become outdated quickly. It is important to determine if currency is pertinent to your research. |
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| Objectivity / Bias / Reliability Every author has an opinion. Recognizing this is instrumental in determining if the information presented is objective or biased. |
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Style / Functionality |
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When evaluating the quality of the information you are using, it is useful to identify if you are using a Primary, Secondary, or Tertiary source. By doing so, you will be able recognize if the author is reporting on his/her own first hand experiences, or relying on the views of others.
| Source Type | Examples |
| Primary A primary source is a first person account by someone who experienced or witnessed an event. This original document has not been previously published or interpreted by anyone else. |
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| Secondary A secondary source is one step removed from the primary original source. The author is reexamining, interpreting and forming conclusions based on the information that is conveyed in the primary source. |
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| Tertiary A tertiary source is further removed from primary source. It leads the researcher to a secondary source, rather than to the primary source. |
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For a complete listing of magazines, journals and newspapers available both online and in print through the SFCC Library, visit our Journal Finder.
Also known as scholarly, refereed, or peer-reviewed journals.
Appearance: Generally have a sober, serious look. May contain graphs and charts, but few glossy pages or photographs. Use scholarly language with vocabulary specific to their profession or field.
Audience: Written for academics and professionals.
Author/Authority: Articles written by researchers or scholars in the field who report the results of original research.
Citations: Articles include footnotes and a list of citations at the end of the article.
Content: Includes scholarly research for a particular profession or industry.
Frequency: Usually published bimonthly or quarterly.
Examples:
While it can be difficult to distinguish between the various types of periodicals when they are in electronic format, many databases now allow researchers to initially search by or later sort their results by type of publication.
Appearance: Generally printed on newsprint in black ink.
Audience: Written for the general public.
Author/Authority: Articles written by staff writers and freelance journalists.
Citations: Will sometimes cite sources, a scholar, or a freelance writer.
Content: Includes current events and special features.
Frequency: Usually published daily or weekly.
Examples:
Appearance: Generally attractive and illustrated with color photographs.
Audience: Written for the general public.
Author/Authority: Articles written by staff or freelance writer.
Content: Includes current events and special features.
Frequency: Usually published weekly or monthly.
Examples:
Also known as industry magazines.
Appearance: Generally attractive and are often illustrated with color photographs.
Audience: Written for industry professionals.
Author/Authority: Articles written by staff writers, though the magazine may sometimes accept articles from industry professionals.
Citations: Occasionally list references at the end of the article or provide footnotes within the text.
Content: Includes current events and special features within a particular profession or industry.
Frequency: Usually published biweekly or monthly.
Examples:
