Research literacy · source checks · evidence

Research and references for gambling analysis

Strong analysis depends on understanding where information comes from, how it was produced and what it can support. This guide helps learners evaluate mathematical, regulatory, commercial and public-health sources. It is a method for research, not a list of endorsements.

Find sources appropriate to your question

Start by defining the topic, population, place and time period. Depending on the question, useful sources may include peer-reviewed studies, official regulations and reports, statistical documentation, accessibility standards or public datasets. Source types answer different questions; a commercial description, for example, is evidence of how a product is presented, not necessarily independent evidence of its effects.

For classroom practice, use synthetic information where real individual-level data is not necessary. See classroom analysis notes for a simple way to document a project.

Evaluate a source step by step

  1. Check authorship and date. Identify the author or organization, publication date, revisions and intended audience.
  2. Inspect methods. Look for sample definitions, measures, assumptions, data collection and stated limitations.
  3. Consider purpose and interests. Distinguish research, public information, advocacy and promotion; note possible conflicts of interest.
  4. Verify the claim. Follow citations to an original source and check whether the cited evidence supports the exact statement.

When reviewing risk claims, pair these checks with the responsible analysis guide and the data study routine.

Keep a useful research record

Record the author, title, publisher or journal, date and the specific claim or dataset used. Note the date you accessed changing material, the scope of a regulation and any unresolved questions. Cite the original source where possible and paraphrase accurately; do not present an old summary as current policy.

Research questions can connect probability with accessible information design and social context. Explore topics in research themes, practice quantitative thinking with analysis strategies or browse all learning paths.