How to Appraise Literature Sources for Dissertation Research
How to Appraise Literature Sources for Dissertation Research
Appraising literature sources involves assessing the quality, relevance, and credibility of the materials you’ve gathered for your dissertation. This process ensures that your dissertation is built on reliable and high-quality sources.
Steps to Appraise Literature Sources:
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Credibility and Authority: Look for sources written by recognized experts in the field. Academic books, peer-reviewed journals, and conference papers are generally reliable.
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Relevance: Evaluate how closely the source aligns with your research question. Only include sources that contribute to your study.
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Objectivity: Assess whether the source presents information objectively, without bias. Avoid using sources that present overly subjective opinions unless they are part of a theoretical framework.
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Methodology: If the source is a research study, evaluate the methodology. Is it sound? Is the sample size appropriate? Are the results clearly explained?
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Publication Date: Ensure the source is current, especially in fast-evolving fields. Historical works may be useful for context but should be supplemented with recent studies.
