Now that Mable has 3-5 sources, she feels like it's a good opportunity to think more intentionally about what her sources are doing and how. Mable isn't sure how to get started with this evaluation, so she drops by the library's Research Help to speak with a librarian. The librarian explains that source evaluation is nuanced and walks through a list of considerations:

• Who wrote this source?
  • What is their connection to this topic?
  • Why are they writing about this topic?
• What evidence does the author use to support their argument?
  • What perspectives are represented?
• What are you curious about after reading this?
• Does this source inform, persuade, provide an opinion, sell something, etc.?
• Can the information in this source be verified by other sources?
• How does this source connect to your research question and your other sources?

Mable takes these questions and keeps them in mind as she goes through her sources. Through this evaluation, Mable identifies gaps in her research and returns for more web and library searching until she feels confident enough with her sources to begin outlining her paper.

Taking breaks during this process of evaluating sources is really important! Your brain needs time to let ideas marinate and it's okay to come back to it later-- you may want to go for a walk, talk about your research with others (like a librarian!), or spend some time outdoors.