When deciding which articles to use to support ideas and arguments in your paper, keep these criteria in mind:
| Accuracy |
- Is this article fact or opinion?
- Are counter-arguments acknowledged?
- 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?
|
| Authority |
- Is the author an expert in this field?
- What other works have they written?
- Can you find out more about the author? What is their background?
- Has this author been cited by others?
|
| Bias |
- Some publications have an inherent bias that will impact articles printed in them. Can you determine this from looking at the journal?
- Is the author's point of view impartial and objective? Are counter-arguments acknowledged?
|
| Audience Level |
- What audience is the article designed for?
- Is it too basic or too technical for your needs?
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| Currency |
- It is usually easy to determine the publication date of an article.
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