Evaluate the Information
Academic research is a process to find, evaluate and use information to deepen your understanding and build new knowledge.
Academic research is a process to find, evaluate and use information to deepen your understanding and build new knowledge.
Remember, in academic research, you are not simply a consumer of information.
Remember, in academic research, you are not simply a consumer of information.
You are using information to extend an academic conversation or to defend a position in an academic argument.
You are using information to extend an academic conversation or to defend a position in an academic argument.
When evaluating information for academic research, you need to determine the:
When evaluating information for academic research, you need to determine the:
- Credibility
- Relevance
- Purpose
The author or organization that is publishing the information should be credible and respected within the subject discipline.
The author or organization that is publishing the information should be credible and respected within the subject discipline.
For example, an author with a PhD in Literature from Harvard would be an authoritative source, but would not be considered a credible source for a research central theme of how testing anxiety affects the physical health of high school students.
For example, an author with a PhD in Literature from Harvard would be an authoritative source, but would not be considered a credible source for a research central theme of how testing anxiety affects the physical health of high school students.
The information should be relevant to the scholarly discussion, both in content and in publication date. Just because a publication is older does not always mean it is not relevant, especially if the author is considered foundational to scholarship within the discipline.
The information should be relevant to the scholarly discussion, both in content and in publication date. Just because a publication is older does not always mean it is not relevant, especially if the author is considered foundational to scholarship within the discipline.
Another important strategy when evaluating information is determining the purpose of the information. Is the author writing to inform or to persuade?
Another important strategy when evaluating information is determining the purpose of the information. Is the author writing to inform or to persuade?
Just because the author is writing to persuade does not make the source invalid. As a thorough researcher, you need to find information that is attempting to persuade for the opposite side of an issue and compare the sources.
Just because the author is writing to persuade does not make the source invalid. As a thorough researcher, you need to find information that is attempting to persuade for the opposite side of an issue and compare the sources.
Academic Inquiry
