Skip to Main Content

BIOC35: Principles in Parasitology

This guide will help students in BIOC35 find articles, know the types of sources and how to evaluate them, and develop effective readings strategies of scientific articles.

How to Read a Scientific Article

Criteria for Evaluating Sources

Criteria for deciding which sources best support the ideas and arguments in your paper:

Scope                    

  • What is the purpose of the resource and what does it contain?
  • Is it comprehensive and does it explore the subject in depth?
  • What does it exclude? Are any limitations discussed?

Authority            

  • Is the author an expert in this field?
  • What is the author's relationship to the information contained in the source?
  • Has this author been cited by others?

Objectivity        

  • Does the information provided inform, explain, persuade?
  • Is the author's point of view impartial and objective?
  • Are counter-arguments acknowledged?
  • Does it contain facts, opinions, or biases?

Accuracy            

  • Are the results accurate, and are they supported by the data and methodology presented?
  • Does this support or contradict other articles?
  • Are references to other works given?

Currency           

  • Is the content of the work up-to-date?
  • Is timeliness important?

Adapted from Hanover College Library