Pitfalls of Research

Today’s episode comes from the IFW book Searching: A Research Guide for Writers, available in our bookstore. Whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction, research is integral to having an authentic article or manuscript that connects with editors and readers. In this episode, we’re talking about how to evaluate the information you find in your research for credibility and reliability.

Questions to Ask

Never accept a web page at face value; always evaluate the information. Here’s a checklist of basic things to consider:

• Who is the author? What credentials does this person or organization have? 

• What is the purpose of the website or publication? Is it intended to inform, inspire, entertain, or persuade? What is the historical context of the information?

• How comprehensive is the coverage? Is it an overview or does it delve deeply into your topic? 

• Is the source impartial or does it emphasize paid links?

If you enjoyed today’s excerpt from Searching: A Research Guide for Writers, you’ll get even more out of the book. With dozens of links to little known resources and guidance on how use your research, it’s a must-have for your writing journey. Pick it up today! Click here.