How will I evaluate the sources I find for my literature review?

How do I ensure they are trustworthy sources and eliminate unnecessary or untrustworthy information?

Last Updated: Jan 13, 2025     Views: 15

To conduct a good literature review, you must read critically and evaluate the credibility of the sources and authors you cite. All sources, even if they are from the library, need to be evaluated to ensure they are right for the work you are doing.

As a starting point, you should apply the criteria (currency, relevancy, accuracy, authority, and purpose) outlined in the How Do I Evaluate Sources guide to all your sources.

Additionally, when you are evaluating sources for a literature review, you should consider the following questions to determine if your sources fit the scope of your research:

  • Is the source directly related or only tangentially related to your research? Is it useful or relevant to your topic?
  • Does this source provide new insight, or is it duplicative of other research? How does it relate to other sources?
  • Is the methodology sound? What testing procedures, subjects, and materials were used?
  • Who funded the research? Who performed the research? Where were the studies carried out?

Finally, be sure to be objective when you are researching:

  • Keep an open mind. Be sure to look at information that may contradict your own views.
  • Try to view the topic from different vantage points and consider what perspectives may be missing. This will ensure that you gain a comprehensive understanding and reduce bias.

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