Choosing Valid Resources for Research Papers

By Miss DePanfilis

• Authority and Currency

• Primary and Secondary Sources

• Signs of Bias

Choosing Valid Resources for Research Papers

• Authority and Currency

• Primary and Secondary Sources

• Signs of Bias

Choosing Valid Resourcesfor Research PapersHow do you check the authority

in print?

• Examine the Authors Credentials

• Check the sponsoring institution

• Look at the bibliography

Choosing Valid Resourcesfor Research PapersHow do you check the authority

on internet articles?

• Study the home page

• Check domain tags

• Check for bias

Choosing Valid Resourcesfor Research PapersHow do you check the currency

in print?• Check the copyright date

Choosing Valid Resourcesfor Research PapersCurrency on Internet Articles

• Check the latest update

• Check date on articles

• Are the links working?

Choosing Valid Resources for Research Papers

• Authority and Currency

• Primary and Secondary Sources

• Signs of Bias

Choosing Valid Resourcesfor Research Papers

What is a Primary Source?

• An original document (Letters, diaries, legislative bills, laboratory studies, field research reports, eyewitness accounts)

• Feel free to quote often!

Choosing Valid Resourcesfor Research PapersWhat is a Secondary Source?

• Commentary or interpretation of a primary source

• May be opinionated

Choosing Valid Resourcesfor Research PapersPrimary Source vs. Secondary

Source: Which is better?

Secondary Source

• Can be very helpful if you first read the primary source

Primary Source

• Not always more reliable

• First hand account

Choosing Valid Resources for Research Papers

• Authority and Currency

• Primary and Secondary Sources

• Signs of Bias

Choosing Valid Resourcesfor Research Papers

How do you avoid a biased resource in print?

• Check credibility

• Avoid most articles that include personal experiences

• Have the reference librarian consult the Book Review Digest

Choosing Valid Resourcesfor Research Papers

How do you avoid a biased resource on the internet?

• Check the sponsorship!

•Use educational, nonprofit, and governmental websites

•Be wary of commercial websites!

• Sell advertising space

• The often charge for access to their files

• Might be ISP sites where people can pay to post their own material

Choosing Valid Resourcesfor Research Papers

Questions to Ask When Checking for Signs of Bias

• Does the author or publisher have political leanings or religious views that could affect objectivity?

• Is the author or publisher affiliated with any special interest groups?

• How fairly does the author treat opposing views?

• Does the authors choice of words show signs of bias?

Choosing Valid Resources for Research Papers

• Authority and Currency

• Primary and Secondary Sources

• Signs of Bias