LALS 250: Introduction to Latin American and Latino Studies

Each time you find a new source, you will need to determine if it is credible and relevant to your research assignment and the particular argument or claim you are trying to make. We call this process of determining the credibility and usefulness of a source "evaluating." There is no one perfect step-by-step process for evaluating sources, but one of the best ways to think about evaluating is by investigating a source for a couple of things: 

1. Authority: exploring the origins of a source to make sure the author(s) and publisher have requisite expertise to be credible on the topic. 
2. Accuracy: exploring a source for validity and completeness. 
3. Perspective or Objectivity: exploring a source to determine the purpose and perspective of the author, publisher, and source. 

For more information and some specific questions you can ask yourself about the authority, accuracy, and perspective of a source, watch this video on How to Evaluate Sources [08:17].

Below is a Word template that you can use for gathering a range of sources to address the claims and arguments you wish to make in your research paper. You may not find every single kind of resource for each claim you wish to make. That's OK!

This template is meant to provide you with an overview of different kinds of information that you could look to as your research your topic. Consider what kinds of resources will provide the best evidence for the claim you are trying to make.