1. Finding and evaluating secondary Sources

2. What are secondary sources?
Books
Articles:
In books (anthologies)
In journals
In teh Intarwebs
Alternative secondary sources
Films (documentaries)
Interviews

3. Why do we need them? To see what others have written on the same topic
Might help your own paper
To demonstrate our research skills
Important for LIFE
To get better grades
Secondary sources validate your work

4. How do we find them? Use the library catalogue
Use electronic databases
Read bibliographies
Use the internet with great caution.

5. What makes them good? Knowledgeable (experts in the field)
“Does the person I’m citing have expertise in the area directly relevant to the point I want to make?”
Credible: Einstein says E = mc2
Not Credible: Einstein says “war is wrong”

6. What makes them good?
Impartial (interest in accuracy, not slanting the facts)
“What is the author’s purpose?”
Credible: Consumer Reports states that the XE5300 is the best washing machine on the market
Not credible: The salesperson at the Appliance Depot says that the Sunday Special is the best washing machine on the market

7. What makes them good? (cont.)
Recognized by other experts (not a “lone wolf”)
“Are the ideas of this possible source consistent with the majority opinion of experts?”
Credible: Some MD who says it is fine if a pregnant woman smokes
Not credible: All of the others who say it is not

8. Evaluating Sources
Any source on the library’s website or in the library is reliable.
Any .edu site is credible. .Org, .com, and .net sites need careful evaluation.
Anyone can publish
It can be hard to determine
Authorship
Affiliation
Qualification
Publication date
Authenticate your source

9. Evaluating Websites
Who is the author and what are the author’s credentials?
What do the site’s visuals convey?
Does the site have links to other sites?
What is the intent of the site?
Who is the intended audience?
Does the site provide evidence to back up its assertions?
Is the material up to date?
Is the language objective or emotional?
Can you find the same information elsewhere?

10. Why we don’t Wiki