Transcript Evaluating Sources and Information

Evaluating Sources and
Information
How do you know what’s useful?
Look at the Source
• Is it a book?
• If it’s a book you got from the RRHS library,
odds are it’s a reliable source.
• An article from a database?
• If it’s a database linked from the Pathfinder,
odds are it’s a reliable source.
• Is it a website?
Websites
• If Mrs. Hicks or Mrs. Rubin show it to us, it’s
okay.
• In general, look for sites ending in .edu, .gov,
or .org
• Sites ending in .com are usually created for
profit (not simply to provide information).
• Google is only useful if you know how to use
the results you get.
• Wikipedia is NOT a reliable research source!
After You’ve Evaluated the Source,
Evaluate the Information
• Who is the intended audience? Are you a part of that intended
audience?
• Consider the tone, style, level of information, and assumptions the
author makes about the reader. Are they appropriate for your needs?
• Is the content of the source fact, opinion, or propaganda? If you think
the source is offering facts, are the sources for those facts clearly
indicated?
– (This is especially important when using websites that aren’t .edu, .org, or
.gov)
• Do you think there's enough evidence offered? Is the coverage
comprehensive?
– (As you learn more and more about your topic, you will notice that this gets
easier as you become more of an expert.)
• Is the language objective or emotional?
• Do some cross-checking. Can you find some of the same information
given elsewhere?
Warning Signs
• Are there broad generalizations that overstate or
oversimplify the matter?
• Are there generalizations that aren’t backed up
with evidence?
• How timely is the source? Is the source 20 years
out of date? Some information becomes dated
when new research is available, but other older
sources of information can be useful 50 or 100
years later.
• Are arguments very one-sided with no
acknowledgement of other viewpoints?