Honours Thesis Course IDP 4U1
EVALUATING SOURCES ASSIGNMENT
TASK
One of the most important skills when researching is to examine sources critically and evaluate different types of sources and literature. This task will allow you to analyze and evaluate the validity of multiple sources on a specific topic and determine which sources are the most valid for research.
Extra Help: Read Chapter 1 in the MLA Handbook For Writers of Research Papers
STEP
1: Topic Selection
Students will survey a variety of sources
on their thesis topic.
Characteristics of a Good Topic:
ü Topic is interesting
ü Topic is researchable
ü Topic is significant
ü Topic is manageable
ü Topic is ethical and appropriate
STEP
2: Finding Sources
Literature searching involves searching the library catalogues, indexes and databases, and Internet resources. For this assignment, you will need to find FIVE (out of six) of the following:
* Final submission must include scholarly
journal or article
STEP 3: Citing your
Sources: Works Cited
As
you find your FIVE sources, record the bibliographic information for each
source. Follow the guidelines in the MLA
Handbook For Writers of Research Papers - Chapter
5 and use CITATION BUILDER (A link is located on the Thesis Website). The Works Cited must list the FIVE sources you
find on your topic in proper MLA format.
STEP
4: Evaluating Your Sources
Once you have a source in hand, you will need to evaluate it. Obviously, the first thing to do is to
determine if it really applies to your research topic. If it does, you then need to evaluate the
quality of the information. The key focus should be authority, accuracy
and currency.
1) Who is the author(s) of the work? When was the work published?
2) What are the author’s credentials for writing and publishing this work?
3)
When judged against your previous reading and your understanding of the
subject, is the information correct? Is
the information objective and impartial?
4) Does the author present evidence to support the interpretations made? Or
does the source consist mainly of an individual’s opinion?
5)
Are the author’s sources clearly and adequately indicated, so that they
can be verified?
6) Are the author’s sources current, or
are they outdated?
7) Who is the publisher, or what is the
sponsoring organization of the work?
8) How would you characterize the
work? (ie. Scholarly vs popular)
9)
Does the source add to the information you have already gathered about
your topic?
10) Based on your evaluation, is this
source a valid source for research?
STEP 5: Annotated
Bibliography
An annotated bibliography is a list of citations
to books, articles, and documents. Each citation is followed by a brief
(usually about 150 words) descriptive and evaluative paragraph, the annotation.
The purpose of the annotation is to inform the reader of the relevance,
accuracy, and quality of the sources cited.
Things to consider when completing an annotated bibliography:
|
|
Write a concise annotation (150 words) for each of your 5 sources that summarizes the central theme and scope of the book or article. The annotation should consist of the following:
SAMPLE ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY ENTRY FOR A JOURNAL ARTICLE
The following example uses the MLA format for the journal citation:
Holland, Suzanne. The Human Embryonic Stem Cell Debate : Science,
Ethics, and Public Policy.
This is the annotation of the above source. In this example, I am following MLA guidelines for the bibliographic information listed above. If I was really writing an annotation for this source, I would now be offering a brief summary of what this book says about stem cell research.
After a brief summary, it would be appropriate to assess this source and offer some criticisms of it. Does it seem like a reliable and current source? Why? Is the research biased or objective? Are the facts well documented? Who is the author? Is she qualified in this subject? Is this source scholarly, popular, some of both?
The length of your annotation will depend on the assignment or on the purpose of your annotated bibliography. After summarizing and assessing, you can now reflect on this source. How does it fit into your research? Is this a helpful resource? Too scholarly? Not scholarly enough? Too general/specific? Since "stem cell research" is a very broad topic, has this source helped you to narrow your topic?
STEP 6: Abstract a Source
After you have identified and evaluated
FIVE sources related to your topic, select the most valid source to complete an abstract. Abstracting involves locating, reviewing and
summarizing the source. Complete the
following in the abstract:
ü Identify the information: proper MLA citation
ü Summary of the main questions / arguments
ü Overview of approach or methodology taken by the writer or researcher to support arguments / evidence
ü Main conclusions made by writer or researcher
ü Your viewpoint, including any questions, concerns or comments about the source
The abstract should be between 100 -150
words, 12 font, double spacing. All
style of writing / sourcing / citing within the abstract should follow MLA
format.
STEP 7: Final Submission
Once you have completed the citation assignment, submit for assessment /evaluation:
o Works Cited (proper MLA format)
o Annotations for each source
o Copy of source of abstract (journal, article etc.)
o Abstract
RUBRIC:
ABSTRACTING
|
Criteria |
Level
4 |
Level
3 |
Level
2 |
Level
1 |
|
Knowledge
/ Understanding |
The abstract
exceptionally: - clarifies the
main question or argument in the source - describes the
main features of the approach of writer - summarizes the
main points or conclusions in own words |
The abstract: -describes the
main features of the approach of writer |
The abstract
adequately: -describes the
main features of the approach of writer |
The abstract
rarely or poorly: -describes the
main features of the approach of writer |
|
Thinking
/ Inquiry |
The abstract
exceptionally: -identifies the
basis or point of view |
The abstract: |
The abstract
adequately: |
The abstract
rarely or poorly: |
|
Communication |
Writing Style and
Format is exceptionally: -grammar,
punctuation and spelling correct |
Writing Style
and Format: -clear and
concise -grammar,
punctuation and spelling correct |
Writing Style
and format is adequately: -grammar,
punctuation and spelling need editing |
Weak writing
style and format: -weak grammar,
punctuation and spelling |
|
Application |
-exceptional
scholarly academic writing style used -always follows
MLA format in works cited and abstract |
-scholarly, academic
writing style is used |
-more scholarly
and academic writing required |
-lack of
scholarly academic writing |
|
Comments / mark: |
||||