Quality research is not determined by format. Print and digital sources must be evaluated. Think of booklets, brochures, and other materials you encountered.
So, What is quality research?
- It is research that has been reviewed by other experts to determine its quality of theory, methods, structure are sound.
- It shows where facts and information come from.
How do I know if something is reliable? Use the C.R.A.P Test here to help you decide!
Currency: o How recent is the information? o How recently has it been updated? o Is it current enough for your topic? |
Reliability: o What kind of information is included in the resource? o Is content of the resource primarily opinion? Is it balanced? o Does the creator provide references or sources for data or quotations? |
Authority: o Who is the creator or author? What are the credentials? o Who is the publisher or sponsor? Are they reputable? o What is the publisher's interest (if any) in this information? o Are there advertisements? |
Purpose/Point of View: o Is the information academic, popular, journalistic?o Is it fair, or biased? o Is the creator/author trying to sell you something? |
Why should you care about the quality of your research?
There are at least three reasons to use quality research:
1. It builds credibility as a researcher and contributer to a debate.
2. It introduces others to good methodology.
3. It encourages good research practices.
The C.R.A.P. test was developed by Molly Beestrum and Kenneth Orenic, two librarians from Dominican University.
This video provides a short explanation of Scholarly/Peer Reviewed sources:
Courtesy of North Carolina State University
Remember: consult General Tips for Finding Resources in Different Languages on the Modern Languages guide home page.