The first analytical paragraph establishes where, when, why, and by whom the research was conducted. Work produced by a government, university, commercial company, or opaquely funded think tank may carry different incentives or limitations. The second paragraph compares the reported results with the claims made in the conclusion, since confident conclusions can outrun the data. The third assesses the source from the perspective of the whole dissertation rather than one narrow objective. Together, these tests examine provenance, internal consistency, and relevance.
Notable Point · 15:25-17:10
Testing provenance, results, and conclusions
A three-part source assessment asks who produced and funded the work, what the evidence actually shows, and how much value the source has for the dissertation’s wider argument.