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Sociology Resources: Evaluating Information Resources

Evaluating Information Sources

In order to present a trustworthy research argument, you need to use credible sources of information for your academic work. 

Basic Evaluation Criteria:

Here are five questions to ask about all the information you're considering using for your research project:

Relevant - Does it answer your research question?

Current - Is the content presented current enough for your project?

Accurate - Is the information provided correct?

Authoritative - Does the author have expertise on the topic about which they are writing?

Objective - Is there a slant or bias to the information provided?

The books you get from the library and articles you find in the library's research databases have gone through an editorial process; someone or some group has checked the facts and arguments the author made and then deemed them suitable for publishing, although these sources may not always be objective.  You will also need to decide whether or not the book or article is current and suitable for your project but you can feel confident that it is a credible, reliable source.

Subject Guide

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Vikki Terrile
Contact:
718-281-5711
Subjects: Economics, Sociology