Search results:
You can evaluate your search results by considering the following factors:
Databases
- Author - is the author of a paper an expert in their field? What is the author's affiliation (where do they work?)
- Peer review - has the paper been reviewed by experts in the field? Papers that have been peer reviewed are regarded as higher quality and more reliable than those that have not, such as articles from popular magazines or newspapers. This does not mean the information is not useful or relevant, but it does mean you need to make a choice.
- Accuracy - Is the information you have found documented fact, opinion, or propaganda? Check by investigating references, original sources and the works of other authors in the field.
- Bias - Is the paper clearly advocating a particular point of view? Failure to provide all of the facts or perspectives on a topic may lead you to a one-sided interpretation of the information.
- Language - Is the language used in the paper academic (objective) or subjective (emotional, vague or general)? You need to decide which is best suited to your needs.