3. Evaluate and Select Sources#
Now that you have done your initial search, analysed and refined your search results, it is time to select sources that you will read for your master thesis. Sources come with limitations. Some might not be reliable enough for you to build your research on, or they are not relevant for your project. It is therefore important that before you select something to start processing, you make sure you know what you would like to use it for, and that the source is reliable! Will you use it in the methods section of your thesis? Is it a case study that can provide some additional background for your introduction? And how can you store and organize your new-found sources?
Common activities during this phase of your information journey include:
3a. Limitations of Sources - Understand the limitations of AI and other Sources
3b. Evaluate Sources Broadly - Assess the relevance and reliability of sources
3c. Select Effectively - Select academic literature
3d. Store Sources - Use reference managers and tagging to store your sources
Test Your Current Knowledge#
Before studying the recap and additional skills useful for your MSc thesis; take this knowledge test to find out how much you already know:
Templates for Evaluating and Selecting:#
Want to get started with evaluating and selecting for your project right away? You can use the following templates:
The CRAAP test handout to critically evaluate the relevance and reliability of all the sources you encounter.
“Evaluating Information - Applying the CRAAP Test” by Meriam Library, California State University, Chico is licensed under CC-BY-4.0The Select Template to fill in as you go through academic sources you want to select and store for your master thesis.