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Research Unbound: A Library Orientation for Transfer, Upper-Division, and Graduate Students

This micro-course, which involves a series of online modules, will help you learn about the University Libraries' resources available to you, and will equip you with the skills you need to be an effective researcher.

Evaluating Sources

Evaluating Appropriateness

As you evaluate information, the final important criterion to consider is its appropriateness - that is, is the information you found equal to the level of research you're doing? Think of it this way: if you were writing a scholarly paper on Abraham Lincoln, would you use a children's book on Honest Abe from your local library? Hopefully not, because the information in the resource wouldn't be appropriate for the kind of work you're doing.

Information is disseminated and shared in different formats - scholarly journal articles, academic books, magazine articles, websites, videos, and many other media - for different purposes, and not all information formats are created equal depending on your purpose. Once you determine what your purpose is, whether it's writing an academic paper for a course or finding the best self-serve frozen yogurt place in Oakland County, you can figure out what kinds of resources would best fit your needs.