Generally, there are a number of elements to consider when evaluating the quality and scholarliness of a source. During your literature review, you want to make sure you only include credible, scholarly sources. Use the following guidelines to help you in your evaluation:
- Authority
- What are the author's credentials?
- Can you identify their institutional affiliations?
- What is the author's expertise on the subject?
- Currency
- When was the source published?
- Is it outdated?
- Does it meet the time needs for your topic?
- Documentation
- Does the author cite credible, authoritative sources?
- Is there evidence of scholarly research?
- Do they properly cite their sources?
- Intended Audience
- Who is the intended audience? Scholars? Researchers? General audience?
- Objective / Purpose
- What is the author's goal in writing it? To entertain? To inform? To influence?
- How objective is the source?
- Relevancy
- Is it relevant to your topic?
- Does it provide any new information about your topic?
