EDUC 577 & 597: Introduction to Education Research

When evaluating sources, you want to consider the following:

• Validity: Why can you trust the authority of this source?
• Relevance: Is this source relevant for my information needs?
• Bias/Perspective: What perspectives are reflected in the source, and how does that compare/contrast with other perspectives?

When considering the validity of the source, ask yourself the following questions:

• Who is the author? Are they experts? 
• What is the purpose of the information source? To educate? To persuade? To sell?
• When did it originate and has it been updated? Is it a seminal text/ research/ theory? Have the findings in this source changed since publication?
• Where can I verify this information? Do I need to read laterally?
• Why would you use this information instead of a different source? Has it been peer-reviewed? Is the publication legitimate?

Adapted from TUS Library, (n.d.). 5 W's of information evaluation. Critically Evaluating Journal Papers. https://tus.libguides.com/friendly.php?s=criticallyevaluatingjournalpapers/5wsofinformationevaluation.

Popular sources are not "bad" and Scholarly sources are not "good". It is a matter of context and what source and source type is appropriate for your research. You must read the source, investigate the validity, and decide whether that particular source addresses your research question.

Consider potential bias and perspective, in addition to validity and relevance, when evaluating sources. Be open to new perspectives, and always view sources -- no matter who wrote them -- with an attitude of informed skepticism and awareness of potential bias. In addition, be open to voices that may not be traditionally thought of as "expert" or "authoritative", especially marginalized voices that may be underrepresented in traditional publishing processes. 

Here are some questions to consider as you think about bias/perspective, particularly when looking at sources related to your teaching practice:

• Is the source trying to persuade you of something, or even sell you something? Did any individual or company fund the research?
• What worldviews, perspectives, and biases are reflected in this source? How do those add value to the topic, and in what ways is the perspective limited? Does the source affirm or disregard the perspectives and histories of marginalized groups?
• In what ways is this source in conversation with other sources you have read? In what ways does the author agree with, disagree with, or build on other sources?