Read your sources critically. Pay attention to the following:
- Who is the author? What is their standing in the field?
- What is the author’s purpose? To offer advice, make practical suggestions, solve a specific problem, to critique, or clarify?
- Note the experts in the field. Are there specific names/labs that are frequently cited?
- Pay attention to methodology. Is it sound? What testing procedures, subjects, and materials were used?
- Note conflicting theories, methodologies and results. Are there any assumptions being made by most/some researchers?
- Theories: Have they evolved overtime?
- Evaluate and synthesize the findings and conclusions. How does this study contribute to your project?
Divide the available resources that pertain to your research into categories reflecting their roles in addressing your research question. Possible ways to categorize resources include organization by:
- Chronology
- Theme
- Trend
- Methodology
- Theoretical/philosophical approach
Regardless of the division, each category should be accompanied by thorough discussions and explanations of strengths and weaknesses, value to the overall survey, and comparisons with similar sources.
