17 Evaluating Your Research

Five Questions to Help You Evaluate Your Research

As you work on your research essay, use these questions to evaluate your sources and identify any gaps in your research. These questions will help you think critically about how well your sources meet your needs and guide you in finding additional materials if necessary.

1. What aspect of my research question do my sources address most effectively? Are there parts of my question they don’t cover? 

Why this is important:
This question helps you figure out how each source fits into your essay. It shows you what your source does well and where you might still need more information. If parts of your research question aren’t covered, you can focus your efforts on finding sources to fill those gaps.

2. Who is missing from my research? Are there voices (e.g., cultural, historical, social) or types of experience or expertise that are relevant to my topic but not present?

Why this is important:
Considering who’s missing helps you build a balanced argument and include diverse perspectives. For example, does your topic include voices from different social groups, historical contexts, or geographical areas? Recognizing missing perspectives ensures your essay is fair and comprehensive.

3. What type of evidence does my research rely on so far (e.g., data, case studies, expert opinion)? Is there a kind of evidence I need that my current sources don’t provide?

Why this is important:
Different kinds of evidence serve different purposes. Some claims need statistics or data, while others might require examples, expert opinions, or case studies. Asking this question helps you make sure your essay has the variety of evidence needed to support your argument effectively.

4. How exactly will I use my sources in my essay? Will they provide background, support a key argument, or serve as a counterpoint?

Why this is important:
Understanding how you’ll use each source keeps your research focused and purposeful. Knowing if a source is background information, a key piece of evidence, or a counterargument prevents you from collecting irrelevant materials and helps you organize your essay.

5. What kinds of questions would a skeptical reader have about my topic, and does this source help me answer them? If not, where can I find that information?

Why this is important:
Thinking about what a skeptical reader might ask ensures your argument is well-rounded and convincing. This question pushes you to identify potential weaknesses or unanswered questions in your research so you can address them before writing your essay.