How to
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Info

• Research topic
• Search concept
• Search statement
• Search materials
• Search relevance
• Locate items
• Use References
• Evaluate Sources
  • Authority
  • Accuracy
  • Objectivity and Purpose
  • Review process
  • Suitability
  • Timeliness
  • Web sources
• Cite Sources
• Search strategy

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Critical Evaluation of Resources

Authority

What you need to find out:

• What are the author's credentials?

• What are the author's educational background, experience, expertise and occupation?

• Which institution or organisation is the author affiliated to and what is the reputation of the organisation?

• Is the author qualified to write the document?

How you can find out:

• The source may state the author's credentials.

• Check a biographical source such as The International Who's Who [CT120 Int] to get more information on the author's background.

• The reputation of the organisation the author is affiliated to lends authority to the source.

• Your lecturer or tutor may have mentioned the author. The author's name may have been cited in other sources or bibliographies. Respected authors are frequently cited by other scholars.

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Last updated 21-11-08