Before you spend any length of time with a source, you need to quickly determine if it is worthwhile to read or use it. But how can you evaluate a source before you actually read it? Here is some advice:

Step one Read the preface or introduction or the first few paragraphs

Why bother? They usually include the author's purpose.

Step two Read the summary or conclusion

Why bother? It reviews the author's main points.

Step three Skim chapter or section headings and the index

Why bother? This will give you an overview of the material. In an index, you can look for some key words or phrases that related to your topic.

Step four Browse through the material, especially sections that appear most directly related to your topic.

Why bother? Those sections will help you observe the author's opinions and style. It will also help you determine how relevant the material is and how easy or difficult it will be to understand.

Then what?

The above steps don't get you out of reading the sources necessary for your research. They only make it easier to decide which ones to concentrate on. Once you have a general idea about a source, then you can better decide whether or not there is value in it for your research. If it is useful, relevant, and otherwise important to your project, it becomes all the more important to take the time to read it, at least the important parts of it for your research. What then should you be looking for as you evaluate research materials? Good question. You might consider these factors.