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English 160 &161: Introduction to Library Research

Analyzing Sources

Research is a conversation in which you engage with, interpret, synthesize and challenge different sources, ultimately adding your own voice to the conversation. The web is full of different source types that contribute different perspectives to the conversation, some more scholarly than others.

Instructions: Take 5-7 minutes to look at two of the sources below. Briefly decide what the source is about and whether it might be useful for a research paper. 

Consider the following CRITERIA in your analysis:

STRUCTURE: Compare the physical characteristics of the items, such as length, sections, labeling, & graphics
TONE/STYLE: What does the writing style reflect about the purpose/intended audience of the article?
PURPOSE: To inform? Educate? Entertain? What audience is it aimed at?
AUTHOR: What can you tell about the author and their credentials/affiliations?

FInd EBooks

Examples of Ebooks you might find:

Magazines (Not Scholarly Journals!)

The non-academic science magazines listed below might have helpful articles on your topic that are written for a general audience.

Anthropology Today

Atlantic Monthly

Discover

New York Times Magazine

The New Yorker

Science News

Scientific American

Popular Science

Psychology Today

Databases