Big6, #2 Brainstorm

Library books, research databases, internet sites–all of these can be useful.  Don’t forget about interviews, personal visits, and electronic communications.

Important:  How do you know if you can trust a source?  Peer-reviewed articles are “safe” because they have been reviewed by subject experts.  If you are using an Internet site, be sure to know the answers to the following:

  • Who is the author?  What qualifications does the person have?
  • When was the information written?
  • Where is the information hosted?  .com  .edu  .gov  Note:  .org is not a guarantee of quality information.
  • Why is the information supplied?  Is it trying to sell you something?  Is it shaping your opinion?
  • What type of information is supplied?  Does it agree with other sources you have found?
  • How did you find the site?  Was it linked from a trusted site?