One of the most important skills related to thesis research and writing is learning how to determine the authorities of a given topic or discipline as well as understanding the relevance of a particular resource to the wider scholarly conversation. In essence, you will need to critically evaluate the resources you intend to draw into your writing.
To evaluate a book in terms of its critical scholarly appeal, consider reading book reviews which can be easily accessed through HoyaSearch.
Most researchers will apply a set of criteria to evaluate resources found on the Internet to determine their credibility. They include:
- Currency - the timeliness of the information.
- Relevance - the relative value of the information for your research need.
- Authority - the source's credentials or organizational affiliations.
- Accuracy- the reliability, truthfulness and correctness of the information or ideas being presented.
- Purpose - the reason the information has been created.
Contact your Subject librarian for assistance or to schedule a research consultation to learn more about evaluating resources.
