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Cannabis Culture: Evaluating Sources

A Library research guide supporting Dr. Manji's Arts 140 section

Selecting quality resources

Why Evaluate?

It is important to evaluate the information you are considering for your research. Your professor will know if you are using biased or inaccurate information in your assignments. Incorporating poor quality sources and information will influence the grade you receive on your assignments

RADAR

What is RADAR?

The RADAR Framework can help you remember what kinds of questions you should be asking about an information source as you evaluate it for quality and usefulness in your research.

 

 Relevance: the importance of the information for your needs

  • Does the information relate to your topic?
  • Who is the intended audience?

Authority: the source of your information

  • Who is the creator or author?
  • What are their credentials?
  • Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?

Date: the timeliness of the information

  • When was the information published?
  • When was the information updated?
  • Does your topic require recent information?

Accuracy: the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content

  • Supported by evidence
  • Provides logical analysis
  • Cites quality research and studies

Reason for writing: the purpose for the existence of the information

  • What is the purpose of the information?
  • Is the information fact, opinion, propaganda?
  • Is the language or tone unbiased and free from emotion?

How can I learn more?

Visit the UW library’s online research guide Evaluating Information Sources.

 

Organizing your sources

  • Have a folder system (or file/pile system if working with printed documents) i. Label or store sources in High, Medium, and Low priority piles or folders
  • As you first select material, summarize each source in 1-3 lines summarizing the key points as they relate to your essay.
  • Store and label documents in a functional way that makes sense for you. For example, you could save PDFs and other documents by titling them "AUTHOR_ YEAR.pdf"

Managing your time and energy

At certain points of the information searching and appraisal process you will feel uncertain and perhaps anxious. This is because you are likely consuming a large amount of information that is both new and contradictory to itself and what you have previously known. When you are feeling uncertain, research suggests that it is helpful to seek out someone to verbalize your thoughts with or to provide advice.  Doing this will help you clarify your own thoughts, as well as help you position yourself within all this new information. Peers, librarians, your instructor, or (in a pinch) even someone who knows very little about the topic. 

Once you develop and clarify your position on the topic, you will likely feel more confident moving forward with your appraisal and searching processes.