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Physics Research Guide

Why Evaluate?

Research does not only involve finding sources, it also involves evaluating sources. No source should be used just because one finds it. Analyzing and evaluating sources and the information they contain is an essential part of the research process. Every source (including this one) needs to be analyzed and evaluated to make sure it is appropriate and trustworthy.

The two main points one needs to analyze are the reliability of the source and the validity of the content. For the reliability of the source, researchers need to judge whether the author and the type of source can be trusted to provide good information. To judge the validity of the content, one needs to analyze if what the source is saying is correct and appropriate. These concepts can be applied to both print sources and electronic sources. Below are some pointers and questions to consider when analyzing sources.

For more information, please see this LibGuide on Research Tips.

Research Tips: Evaluating Sources