4.1 Evaluating Sources
Evaluating Information
- The How to Research library guide provides a brief introduction to evaluating information
- A Library Research Skills module on Evaluating Information and Avoiding Misinformation is available in Canvas. Please consider enrolling in the Canvas Library Research Skills modules. The How to Research guide provides more information on the modules and how to enroll.
Types of Information Sources
- The How to Research library guide provides a brief introduction to the various types of information sources
- A Library Research Skills module on Navigating Different Types of Information is available in Canvas. Please consider enrolling in the Canvas Library Research Skills modules. The How to Research guide provides more information on the modules and how to enroll.
Ulrich’s database has descriptive information about most journal titles and will tell you whether a journal is peer-reviewed/refereed. Ulrich’s is accessible by searching the UofA Library’s list of databases.
Assessing a source’s research methodology is also a good strategy. In the sample PsycInfo record below taken from a peer-reviewed journal, one can see that the article is an empirical study using quantitative methods in a child population located in Canada. Information about the tests and measures used is also available.
PsycInfo Record Methodology Information
| Ouellette-Kuntz, Helene, Coo, Helen, Lam, Miu, Breitenbach, Marlene M, Hennessey, Paula E, Jackman, Paulette D, et al. (2014). The changing prevalence of autism in three regions of Canada. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44, 120-136. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1856-1 |
To learn more about research methodologies, please consult the SAGE Research Methods database.
Please see the next chapter to learn about how to cite sources in APA style.
