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Frederick E. Berry Library and Learning Commons

THE 206: Theatre History I

Brainstorming Keywords

Internet

Think about how might I use the keywords/concepts to construct a search?  What type of resources do I need and how many?
  • Identify keywords and concepts.  Think of similar terms.
  • Describe your research topic in a sentence or phrase
  • Start with the basics.  Google it and CRAAP it out!     
Currency
Relevancy
Accuracy
Authority
Purpose
  • When was the information published or last updated?
  • Have more recent articles been published on your topic?
  • Does your topic change rapidly (Popular culture, technology)?
  • Does the source add something new to your knowledge of the topic?
  • Is the information too technical or simplified for you to use? 
  • Does the information meet the requirements of the assignment?
  • Are there statements you know to be false? 
  • Is it free from errors - spelling, punctuation, or grammar?
  • Are there links to other reliable sources?
  • What are the Author's credentials?
  • Is the author affiliated with an educational institution or prominent organization?
  • Is the relationship between the author and the institution clear?
  • Can you find information about the author from the source?
  • Is there an obvious bias or prejudice?  
  • Are alternate points of view presented? 
  • Is the author's purpose to sell, persuade, entertain or sell?

Primary and Secondary Sources

Primary vs Secondary

What is it

Examples
Primary (Scholarly, Peer-Reviewed.)
Offers immediate, first-hand perspective to the event or of a topic being studied
Speeches, Letters, Interviews, Newspaper reporters, Datasets, Photographs, Original documents, Original research (Methods, Participants, Data, etc), Artwork, Performance. 
 
Secondary (Popular)
Offers analysis, commentary, or evaluation of primary sources, often presenting a specific viewpoint or argument
Books, Magazines, Newspaper (especially those not directly involved), Documentaries, Interpretation or Analysis, Critique, Review
 
Subjects: Theatre