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What are Critical Sources?
Critical sources, also called criticism, are those that describe, evaluate, analyze, summarize, or interpret various creative endeavors including art, music, literature, drama and film. Criticism may be general, covering the work of several individuals who have something in common (e.g., living at the same time and/or working in the same field), such as an article on women writers or a book comparing the works of British poets from the Romantic era. Criticism may also be specific and focus on the entire career of one individual, such as a book about Picasso's paintings; or it may even only discuss one work by the individual, or works created during a specific period of the individual's life, such as an article discussing Picasso's "blue" period.
Why are Critical Sources Useful to Research?
Creative works are open to interpretation; there is often no "right" answer as to what an author or other creative artist meant for you to get from his work, and if you are unfamiliar with the artist's field or time period, or with the artist himself, critical sources can provide invaluable background information. Critics are usually quite learned in their field and can enrich your understanding of a subject.
Evaluate the criticism you find; not all criticism is created equal. Sometimes critics, like specialists in other fields (such as academia), use unnecessarily technical language and appear to be trying to confuse or impress rather than to express ideas. Whenever you sense that a critic's main goal is something other than illumination of his subject, pick another source; there are plenty of other fish in the sea of criticism.
Another thing to keep in mind is that even the best criticism is still just someone's opinion, and doesn't necessarily represent "the answer." Even if you disagree with a critic's interpretation, such a source may help you clarify your own point of view. Reading criticism is not a substitute for reading, viewing, or hearing the original work; rather, criticism exists to assist you in developing your own interpretation.
The Johns Hopkins Guide to Literary Theory and Criticism by 
