Evaluation and Annotation

Thing to include in your annotations (from bibliography instructions) :

Content
What is the source about? Is it factual? Or is it someone’s opinion? Does it report on original research? Or does it summarize previous research? Is it relevant to your thesis?

Purpose
Why was the source created? To show the results of research? To show an opinion? To persuade you to believe something?

Usefulness
Is the source on topic for your thesis? How will you use it in your paper? Does it support your thesis? Or will you use it as a counter-argument? Does it provide background information? Does it provide examples or anecdotes?

Reliability
Can you trust the source? Why or why not? Has the author done her/his research? Is the information accurate? Is there a list of references/bibliography? How does the source compare to other sources you’ve looked at? Do other sources suppot the conclusion? Is the source biased?

Authority
Who is the author? What are the author’s credentials? Does the author have the expertise to write on your topic? Has the author written anything else on your topic?

Currency
When was the source published? Is it current enough for your topic? Why or why not?

Ease of use
Can you understand this article? What type of language is used? Is it easy to identify the author’s thesis, arguments and conclusion?

Or, give each source the CRAP Test :

Content: What is the source about? Is it factual? Or is it someone’s opinion? Does it report on original research? Or does it summarize previous research?

Currency: When was the source published? Is it current enough for your topic? Why or why not?

Relevancy: Is the source on topic for your thesis? How will you use it in your paper? Does it support your thesis? Or, will you use it as a counter-argument?

Reliability: Can you trust the source? Why or why not? Has the author done her/his research? Is there a list of referenences/bibliography? How does it compare to other sources you are using?

Accuracy: Can you trust the source? Why or why not? Has the author done her/his research? Is there a list of referenences/bibliography? How does it compare to other sources you are using?

Authority: Who is the author? What are the author’s credentials? Has the author written anything else on your topic?

Purpose: Why was the source created? To show the results of research? To show an opinion?

Point of View: Is the source fact or opinion? Is the source biased? Is it trying to persude you to believe one thing over another?