You've all heard it before: You need scholarly/peer-reviewed sources. Vetted, authoritative sources.
What does that mean? Sometimes, looking at a source and deciding whether it applies to your paper is more than just deciphering whether it is scholarly and from a peer-reviewed or refereed source (journal, book, or a solid website). Often, a source can be both very valid and scholarly, but not meet the criteria for your assignment.
For instance, encyclopedias may offer small analysis of a subject, it does not offer an in-depth analysis. Dictionaries, encyclopedias, and companions are great places to start to get basic information about your subject; however, they should only be a starting place. These are scholarly, citeable sources; however, they are not usually what your professors are wanting. The best places to find these are in databases and book chapters
Another issue is internet sources-sources that are not in scholarly databases or electronic journals. A rule of thumb is that a website should be a .edu or .gov site. It is more likely to be researched. However, these are not hard and fast rules. Good questions to ask about any source
1. Who wrote it and why?
2. What do they have to gain?
3. Who is the audience?
4. "What is there expertise?"
5. "What are their sources?"--Magazine, government website, journal, book, etc.
Other things to remember when looking at scholarly works:
