Evaluating Resources

Students frequently skip the evaluation step of the research process. They think finding a resource - any resource - is enough. However, spending hours reading through weak information sources is a waste of your time.

Resources need to match your instructor's requirements and be relevant to your research topic. Don't "force" a resource to fit your assignment - keep searching until you find one you can really use.

A good resource will help you:

• support an argument;

• refute an argument;

• give examples; or

• provide "wrong" information you can challenge.