This page provides links to information on the types of sources you may need to use for this project, as well as the proper way to evaluate any sources.
Click on the above link to learn about the difference between popular sources (like Time Magazine, Newsweek, and Business Week) and scholarly sources (such as The Journal of American History, Scandinavian Studies).
Click on the above link to learn about the differences between primary sources (created during the time period being studied) and secondary sources (created after the fact).
Click on the above link to visit UCBerkeley's guide on how to effectively evaluate webpages to use as sources in your research project. (First, check with your professor to make sure you are allowed to use webpages as sources.)
How an individual reasons from evidence to claims to arguments is often influenced by both rational and emotional factors, elements of one’s identity, and values and belief systems. Only by keeping your personal biases in check can one truly begin to evaluate information for credibility.
Personal steps
Identify emotions attached to topic.
Find unbiased reference sources for proper review of topic. (Go to Credo Reference.)
Intellectual courage to seek authoritative voices on topic that may be outside of thesis.
Source steps
Authority established. Does the author have education and experience in that field?
Purpose/Point of view of source. Does the author have an agenda beyond education or information?
Publisher? Does the publisher have an agenda?
List of sources (bibliography). Is the evidence sound?
Year of publication. Does the year of publication effect the information?
