Contemporary American Education, ED 1101: Citing/Evaluating Sources

Not all resources, books, articles, websites, videos, etc., are appropriate for all papers.  When searching for sources and/or choosing sources for your paper here are some things to keep in mind:

• Authority: What are the author's qualifications? Are they writing in their field of expertise? Who is the publisher or sponsor?

• Objectivity: Are there signs of bias and/or subjectivity? What is the purpose, to inform or pursuade? Are alternative or opposing views or arguments represented? 

• Accuracy: Are the arguments or assertions believable?  Are they backed up with credible evidence and citations?

• Intended Audience: Is the content directed at a particular targeted audience (general public, practicitioners, scholars)? What is the complexity of the language and vocabularly?

• In General: Does the infomation provided answer my question or back up my thesis?  Does it raise other relevant questions?

Citing the sources you have used is a vital and required step in the research process.  In addition to creating citations and bibliographies in your paper, it is important to understand the elements of citations so that you collect the information that you need as you do your research. 

Citation style guides, including APA, MLA, and Chicago are available online and in the research desk. 

Information on plagiarism and about Bowdoin's policies concerning academic honesty and plagiarism can be found on the Office of the Dean of Students Affairs site: Academic Honesty and Plagiarism