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Undergraduate Research

This LibGuide will provide an overview of the research process, finding and evaluating information, and appropriate use of citation for undergraduate students completing a research project.

The Importance of Evaluating Information

The ability to evaluate information is an essential skill that everyone needs. This will ensure that you find the best quality information that meets your specific needs. This skill requires time and critical evaluation to find accurate, documented information. This page offers information on how to critically evaluate information.

Evaluating Your Sources

When evaluating your sources look for the following elements:

  • Audience. For whom is this source intended?
  • Accuracy. Is the information in this source correct?
  • Bias. Does the information in the source support a particular agenda?
  • Credibility. Is the author an expert in this field?
  • Currency. Is the information up to date?

Evaluating Your Sources: This short video from UNC University Libraries provides information on how to evaluate books, articles, and websites.

Scholarly vs. Popular Articles

Primary vs. Secondary Sources

 Discipline

Primary Source

Secondary Source

History

Slave diary

Book about the underground railroad

Art

Original artwork created by an artist

Article critiquing the piece of art

Literature

Original poem written by a poet

Essay on a particular genre of poetry

Political Science

Treaty between two governments

Essay on Native American land rights in the US

Science or Social Sciences

Report of an original experiment

Review of several studies on the same topic

Theatre

Videotape of a performance

Biography of a playwright

From Bowling Green State University.