Evaluating Your Sources

Is the information reliable and accurate?

Information that you can depend upon with a strong degree of certainty is reliable and accurate.

A veterinarian is a reliable source for information about caring for your dog.

A veterinarian is not a reliable source for information about what to do when you have the flu!

Is the information reliable? Is the information accurate?

Some sources are better than others!

You want to look for sources that are written by experts on a particular topic.

Beware of companies trying to sell something! They may not be reliable because they want you to buy a product!

You also want to use current information. Information may be outdated (old) and no longer true. Therefore, some sources may have information that is no longer accurate and therefore, the source is no longer reliable.

Questions to Ask When Evaluating Sources

#1: Who is the author? Is he/she an expert on this topic?

#2: Why is the author writing this? Is the purpose to inform me about the topic, or is it to persuade me to do something?

#3: When was this source published? Is the information still valid?

Evaluating a Book

Since books are published, they are typically written by a reliable source. However, you should still check! Look for biographical information about the author in the book.

However, the information may be outdated, so check the date of publication!

Evaluating an Website

It’s VERY important to evaluate websites before taking information.

Why? Anyone can post on the internet! No one has to

be an expert to post on the web so there is TONS of unreliable and inaccurate information. YIKES!

Also, many websites are created by companies who want your business. See if the website is trying to sell something.

.what?.gov -Websites ending in .gov are run by the

government These are usually reliable.

.edu—Websites ending in .edu are run by educational institutions, such as schools. They are usually reliable.

.com—MOST Websites end in “.com” Theyare typically run by a business. You must

examine these sites VERY carefully before using information.

Results from a Google Search:“What causes swine flu”

About Swine Flu (H1N1) Get the Facts About Swine Flu, Including

Helpful Prevention Tips.www.alkaseltzerplus.com

Flu Causes Vicks® NyQuil® - The Best Sleep You Ever

Got With A Cold Medicine.www.vicks.com/FluRelief

CDC H1N1 Flu | H1N1 Flu and You www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm

Swine flu: Causes - MayoClinic.comCauses. By Mayo Clinic staff.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/swine-flu/DS01144">Swine flu ...www.mayoclinic.com/health/swine-flu/.../DSECTION=causes

Watch out for Wikipedia

Wikipedia is a great place to check out a topic and pick up some general knowledge.

However, watch out! Wikipedia is a Wiki, which means anyone can edit the information on the site!

In fact, some computer hackers put incorrect information in Wikipedia for fun! To them, it’s a game.

When it comes to high quality academic research, choose an actual encylopedia, not Wikipedia.

Bias

Information is biased when the author selects information that supports their personal opinion.

The opening statement “Dogs are the best animals in the world” shows the author’s bias. Everything you read next, should be read through the lens that the author likes dogs.

The postal carrier taunted the friendly dog. In defense, the dog bit him.The author is biased in favor of the dog.

If the site is trying to sell you something, it is probably not reliable because it may be

biased.Example: Vick s Vapor Rub

http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2008/07/07/vicks-vaporub-f/

Relevant

Information is relevant when it has a strong connection to your research. Relevant information relates directly to your research question.

Are dogs really dangerous to mail carriers?

Relevant Irrelevant

•Number of mail carriers attacked by dogs.•Injuries that mail carriers incur by dog attacks

•Total number of accidents suffered by mail carriers•What time the mail is delivered

VOLCANOES, EARTHQUAKES, OIL SPILLS, GLOBAL WARMING. WASTE

Use data bases from school, encyclopedias , etc.

You can use databases from home with the passwords

Easy to find reliable information in books (but may be outdated (look at copyright date of the book)

What has happened in Egypt that would tell you to watch the dates in a book?

COUNTRIES

Comparing countries : North Korea South Korea

CULTUREGRAMS WORLD EDITION

CULTURE CROSS

HUMANS AND MONKEYS

How do you Find Newspapers?

Blackboard http://fcps.blackboard.com/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp

Library Course http://fcps.blackboard.com/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_id=_2_1

Blue Tab on Left: Databaseshttp://fcps.blackboard.com/webapps/portal/

frameset.jsp?tab_id=_2_1&url=%2fwebapps%2fblackboard%2fexecute%2flauncher%3ftype%3dCourse%26id%3d_511284_1%26url%3d

Double Click on the 1st slidehttp://fcps.blackboard.com/webapps/portal/

frameset.jsp?tab_id=_2_1&url=%2fwebapps%2fblackboard%2fexecute%2flauncher%3ftype%3dCourse%26id%3d_511284_1%26url%3d

Scroll down to Lands and People on the Righthttp://go-passport.grolier.com/Click on World Newspapers

OPPOSING VIEWPOINTSDATA BASE

Humans, like animals, behave fearlessly without the amygdala

64The New York Times,

http://www.newyorktimes.com December 21, 2010

In the 1930s, researchers discovered that when a certain part of monkeys' brains was removed, the animals became fearless. They approached snakes, started batting them around like sticks and played with their hissing ton ...

HOMELESS PETS/EUROPEAN SOCCER CLUBS

NEWSPAPERSDATABASE LANDS AND PEOPLEWORLD NEWSPAPERS AT THE BOTTOM

Which is the best choice?

Which is the best choice?