ENGL 1301 - Worley: Before you start your research

All information sources are not created equally -- just because an article is published in a magazine or journal does not mean that it is a credible source. 

Analyze ALL your sources -- articles, websites and books -- for potential author bias, accuracy and relevance to your research topic.

This online questionnaire provides a framework for examining your sources:  Online CRAAP test

These sources will help you find background information on your topic. 

This can help you:

• Discover which aspects of your topic are most important to other researchers.  Your instructor will likely expect you to address these areas.
• Find search terms.
• Learn basic facts about your topic that may help you narrow your search.

Ask yourself these questions before you start your research:

• Do I know enough about my topic to choose meaningful search terms?
  • ​Reference books such as encyclopedias are useful sources for learning basics about a topic before starting your research.
• Does it matter how old your sources are?  
  • Should you use sources dating from the beginning of time to the present? 
  • Do you only want the most current information?
• How specific is your topic? 
  • ​Are you giving a broad overview of the topic?
  • Do you need in-depth research on the topic?
• Who counts as a credible writer on this topic?
  • Does the writer need to be an expert in the field?  What kind of credentials will prove that this person is an expert?
  • Is it okay for the writer to be a non-expert who cites his/her sources well?