Human Development and Child, Adolescent, and Family Studies

The key to good research is not just finding information on a topic, but also, and more importantly, finding quality information that is appropriate to your level of research. Take a look at the information below to help you determine whether a source should be used for your papers, speeches, or presentations.

Peer-Reviewed articles:

• Original, scholarly research conducted by experts within a field or discipline
• Prior to publication, work is reviewed by other scholars or experts within that same discipline
• Peer-review ensures that the information being presented to you is based on solid evidence, scientific facts, not opinions
• Provides a level of quality control
• Articles generally include: Introduction, literature review, method, analysis, conclusion, references

Peer review is important not only because your professors will be requiring it of you, but also because they represent the most scholarly, most authoritative information within the different disciplines

When evaluating a work, ask yourself the following questions:

• Who is writing the work? (Professor, researcher, journalist, doctor, lawyer, etc.)
• How are they qualified to write on this topic? (Credentials, background)
• What else have they written? (Research, publications, presentations, speeches, etc.)
• Where do they practice? (affiliations, academic institutions, memberships, or committees)
• Who published the work? (newspaper, blog, university press, peer-reviewed journal, etc.)

Academic Journals:
written by experts or practitioners in the field, peer reviewed, associated with an institution or society within that business, academic field, or industry

Magazines:
usually related to current events, news, and or trends related to a specific topic or trade

Newspapers:
used for transmission of current events and community information; not considered a scholarly source, but can be beneficial for collecting information related to specific events