Checklist

Factors to consider for each source

Publication date
 Is it up to date?
 Are there newer sources of
information available?

Who is the author?

 What is their background?
 Are they an expert on the subject?
 If so, have they produced any other
materials you can access?

Contents
 Check the chapters to see if there are
any that specifically relate to your
topic

Index
 Check for any specific references to
you key themes and terms

Intro / abstract / press release / executive

summary
 Does it give a promising overview?

Scan the beginning and the conclusion

 Does it seem to provide a valuable
argument?

Note down reference information

 Name of author
 Title of text
 Place published
 Date published
 Pages used
 For online sources make sure you
record the URL and the date you
accessed it

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