Selecting the Best Sources - ENG 102 Problem-Solution Research Guide - Lotz - Learning Guides at Jefferson Community & Technical College

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How to read scholarly articles

These websites explain the different parts of a scholarly article and show how to read and take notes on them.

How to Read and Take Notes on a Scholarly Journal Article - Pasadena City College WAC
This guide will take you through the structure of a scholarly article, how to read its sections, note taking, and citation (Quaratiello and Devine).
Anatomy of a Scholarly Article - Andreas Orphanides, North Carolina State University Library
In this guide, you can move your cursor over the article to get an explanation of each section (Quaratiello and Devine).
Structure of a Scholarly Research Article - University of Vermont

DON'T FORGET!

KEEP TRACK OF YOUR SOURCES!

Start keeping track of where you're getting your information from -- write down websites, authors, titles, etc. for use later when you'll be citing your sources. Trust us, it will make things a lot easier! Use the tips on creating a working bibliography to learn what kind of information you should be keeping up with!

Creating a Working Bibliography
Colorado State University describes how to create and use a Working Bibliography for research.

Evaluating Resources

Sometimes the best sources for your topic will be in the open web. When it’s necessary to use open internet sources, it is important to be cautious of sites you find online. Here are some tips about websites that will be helpful.

Domain Name Extensions usually indicate the type of group hosting the site:

Commercial (.com)
Educational (.edu)
Nonprofit (.org)
Governmental (.gov)
Military (.mil)
Network (.net)

Web Addresses can also indicate country of origin:

United Kingdom (.uk)
Japan (.jp)

•.edu & .gov sites tend to be more credible than .com and sometimes .org sites. Look at who sponsors the site and use evaluation methods to determine credibility.

http://16thletter.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2008/06/dotcom.jpg

Evaluating websites

Found a website you want to use as a resource but aren't sure it's reliable? Use these criteria:

Currency: The time the item was written. Is the information still true? Does your topic need only the most up-to-date information or would something a few years old be acceptable?
Accuracy: The absence of errors and use of reliable information. Is the information correct? Does the source make claims you can prove? Are there any spelling or grammatical errors?

Authority: The qualifications of the writer. What makes him/her an expert on the topic? This can apply to both a person and an organization.

Objectivity: The reason or reasons the item was written. To inform you about the issue? To persuade you to buy something? To entertain?

Coverage: The information provided by the item. Does this source answer the questions I have? Does it contribute new or different information to my research paper? Does the item present just one side of an issue or a very small piece of a larger picture?

Still aren't sure a source is reliable? Ask a librarian. We can help you evaluate a website or point you toward another credible source if necessary.