Look at the title, keywords or subject headings and other indexing terms and read the abstract if available.
Does the document cover the right topic? What is the breadth of the article, book or other material? Is it a general work that provides an overview of the topic or is it specifically focused on only one aspect of your topic?
Primary vs. secondary research
In determining the appropriateness of a resource, it may be helpful to determine whether it reflects primary research or secondary research.
Primary research presents original research methods or findings for the first time. Examples include:
- A journal article or research report that presents new findings and new theories, usually with the data
- A poster presented at a conference
Secondary research provides a compilation or evaluation of previously presented material. Examples include:
- A review article summarizing research or data
- A textbook