Using credible information will improve the quality of your assessment and may result in better marks, but how can you tell whether the resources you've found are credible and suitable for your assessment? Have you been asked to use peer reviewed or refereed articles? Are you using authoritative websites?
The information below will help you evaluate the information you find, in books, journal articles, or online to make sure it’s reliable.
Peer-reviewed articles are:
Peer-reviewed journals are sometimes called refereed journals.
Peer-reviewed articles and journals are regarded as being more scholarly and authoritative than article and journals that are not peer-reviewed.
Primo Search
With a set of results in Primo Search, you can use the Show only > Peer-reviewed Journals option to refine your results to articles from peer-reviewed journals.
Databases
Some databases offer the option to limit searches or refine results to peer-reviewed journals.
Ulrichsweb Global Serials Directory
The most reliable way to check whether a journal is peer-reviewed is to check in the Ulrichsweb Global Serials Directory:
Journal’s website
If you go to a journal website, information on peer-review will usually be included in a section on information for authors or publication policies and procedures. A good way to find the website for a journal is to check the journal record in Ulrichsweb!!
Understanding Health Research: A Tool for Making Sense of Health Studies
This site from UK helps you interpert and evaluate a published health research paper.
The Review a Study module guides you through a series of questions about a piece of research you have found, and helps you to evaluate the quality of the research.
The Useful Information Page will help you understand the some of different terminology and concepts used in health research.
Evidence Based Practice Learning Modules from NSW Health
These Learning Modules have been developed to support NSW Health clinicians gain skills to integrate the best available evidence into practice. Each Learning Module covers a different aspects of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP).
Reading critically
The Sage Research Methods Online database (SRMO) is a good source of full text electronic Books, chapters, and articles on a range of research methodologies. It includes a wide range of items in relation to literature review processes, and importantly how to read critically.
Examples:
Goodwyn, A. & Stables, A. W. (2004). Learning to Read Critically: Learning to read critically in language and literacy : SAGE Publications Ltd doi: 10.4135/9781849209410
Quinton, S. & Smallbone, T. (2006). How to read critically. In Sage Study Skills: Postgraduate research in business (pp. 81-96). : SAGE Publications Ltd doi: 10.4135/9781849209564.n6
While you are searching for relevant information about your topic you will need to think about the accuracy of the information, whether the information is from a reputable source, whether it is objective and current. The basic criteria for assessing information and questions you might want to think about are listed below.
Accuracy
Authority
Objectivity
Currency
Coverage
Further Reading: