Evaluation helps to determine whether the sources you have located provide credible information that is relevant to your research question. When evaluating a source, consider the author, audience, relevance, bias, and date.
| Criteria | Questions to Consider |
|
Author |
Is the author an expert on the subject? |
|
Audience |
Is the information from a popular or scholarly source? |
|
Relevance |
Does the content of the book/article discuss your research question? |
|
Bias |
Does the author present information based on facts or opinion? |
|
Date |
How recently was the book/article published? |
To effectively search the library catalog or databases for relevant information, it is important to develop a search strategy. After choosing a topic, the next step is to develop a research question. A research question will help you identify keywords. What is a keyword? A keyword is a specific term which describes an event, person or place. Keywords help you find information in a catalog or database. Once you have selected a keyword or keywords, brainstorm to identify synonyms and related terms. Using different search terms will help you find more information on your research topic.
Topic: Childhood Obesity
Research Question: Should childhood obesity be treated with a diet plan?
Keywords: Obese children; treatments; nutrition; dietary needs; childhood obesity
Related Terms: Obesity in children; genetics; family history
