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Finding and evaluating secondary Sources

Learn how to find, evaluate, and utilize secondary sources effectively for research purposes. This guide covers different types of sources, credibility assessment, and tips for evaluating websites. Enhance your research skills with this comprehensive resource.

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Finding and evaluating secondary Sources

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  1. Finding and evaluating secondary Sources

  2. What are secondary sources? • Books • Articles: • In books (anthologies) • In journals • In teh Intarwebs • Alternative secondary sources • Films (documentaries) • Interviews

  3. Why do we need them? • To see what others have written on the same topic • Might help your own paper • To demonstrate our research skills • Important for LIFE • To get better grades • Secondary sources validate your work

  4. How do we find them? • Use the library catalogue • Use electronic databases • Read bibliographies • Use the internet with great caution.

  5. What makes them good? • Knowledgeable (experts in the field) • “Does the person I’m citing have expertise in the area directly relevant to the point I want to make?” • Credible: Einstein says E = mc2 • Not Credible: Einstein says “war is wrong”

  6. What makes them good? • Impartial (interest in accuracy, not slanting the facts) • “What is the author’s purpose?” • Credible: Consumer Reports states that the XE5300 is the best washing machine on the market • Not credible: The salesperson at the Appliance Depot says that the Sunday Special is the best washing machine on the market

  7. What makes them good? (cont.) • Recognized by other experts (not a “lone wolf”) • “Are the ideas of this possible source consistent with the majority opinion of experts?” • Credible: Some MD who says it is fine if a pregnant woman smokes • Not credible: All of the others who say it is not

  8. Evaluating Sources • Any source on the library’s website or in the library is reliable. • Any .edu site is credible. .Org, .com, and .net sites need careful evaluation. • Anyone can publish • It can be hard to determine • Authorship • Affiliation • Qualification • Publication date • Authenticate your source

  9. Evaluating Websites • Who is the author and what are the author’s credentials? • What do the site’s visuals convey? • Does the site have links to other sites? • What is the intent of the site? • Who is the intended audience? • Does the site provide evidence to back up its assertions? • Is the material up to date? • Is the language objective or emotional? • Can you find the same information elsewhere?

  10. Why we don’t Wiki

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