In this step, we SELECT sources that could be relevant for our research question. Actions include:
- Scanning sources to assess relevance
- Choosing sources to bookmark, save and/or download for reading later and for our bibliographical records.
- Evaluate the relevance and credibility of our sources using SCRAPit (Harrison, 2019).
CONSIDER: How can we trust a source to provide useful and reliable information?
Using SCRAP Source evaluation, we can evaluate the usefulness and credibility of a source.
REFLECT: Why do we start with ‘Self Awareness’?
Traditionally, we have used CRAAP methods to assess the credibility of a source but as scientific investigators, we need to go one step further (Harrison, 2019). A key skill of scientific inquiry is maintaining an open mind to consider all perspectives on a scientific issue such as bioethics.
ACTIVITY: Can you guess the rule?
REFLECT: What biases might you have about your bioethical issue?
Take a few minutes to journal in your notebooks about your own possible biases around your research question.
Bioethics Resources
| Source | How to use it | Hot Tip | SCRAPit Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nature Journal accessed via SLV website with your individual memberships. | This journal is a weekly international journal that publishes peer reviewed research in science and technology. | On the homepage, head straight to the search icon on the right and use the advanced search functions to narrow your searches. | ✅ |
| Explora EBSCO | This discovery service allows you access to numerous databases on a range of topics. Sources can range from peer reviewed research, news articles to biographies. | Use all of the functions of this service. For example, consider the Dashboard on the left-hand side of the website. You can create a project on your research topic for ease of access. | ✅ |
| SLV Newspaper Research Guides | This research guide gives SLV members detailed instructions on how to find the most relevant news articles using the SLV catalogue. | Research Guides are gold mines of information. It is often easier to start in the SLV research guides before using the search function as the experts have done all the hard for you. | ✅ |