Evaluating Sources

Garbage in,

garbage out.

Reading Critically

As an author, you have the responsibility of presenting authentic and valid evidence to your reader.

How to read critically…

Issues with the Internet

Anyone can publish on the InternetJust because it’s there, doesn’t mean

it’s good• Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus• California Velcro Crop

Web pages have agendasHome pages—personal opinionsCommercially sponsoredSponsored by organizations

Evaluating Websites

Check sites for the following:Who authored it?Is it accurate?Is it objective (may use slanted sites,

but use them for a reason)?Is the info timely?Is there enough info?

Author Who sponsors the site?

.edu, .gov, .org • Beware of student papers on the .edu

.com• Advertising• Still could use, but beware of slant

Is there an author? Is the page signed? Is the author qualified? An expert? Who is the sponsor? Is the sponsor of the page reputable? How reputable? Is there a link to information about the author or the

sponsor? If the page includes neither a signature nor indicates a

sponsor, is there any other way to determine its origin?

Evaluating Authors

Is the author a professional?Run a quick Google search on

author’s name (or organization)Run a search on Amazon for other

published books. Look for a bibliography or works cited

list.Other primary sources for you to

check out.

Check this out…

Check out who is linked to a particular site...Go to Google and type

• Link: (insert the URL of the site you want to check out)

See what other sites are linked to your resource.

Is this a credible source?

Accuracy

Is the information reliable and free from error?

Is there an editor or someone who verifies/checks the information?

Objectivity

Does the information show a minimum of bias?

Is the page designed to sway opinion? Is there any advertising on the page?

All writing contains bias of some sort. When using a source, judge whether or not the bias is acceptable. You may need it to prove/disprove your thesis.

Slanted Language

Although you may have a primary source, beware of how the author frames the discussion (words used)

Gulf War Comparison (British Press)

Non-Internet Sources

Even though it’s on paper, the same rules apply: “In a girly-girl, eye-poking attack, House Minority

Leader Dick Gephardt (D-Mo.) demanded an investigation into “what the White House knew about the events leading up to the attack, when they knew it, and most importantly, what was done about it.” Gephardt’s genius plan for assuring air safety after September 11 was to federalize airport security. But he refused to allow airport security to scrutinize passengers who look like the last two doezen terrorists to attack civilian aircraft. That’s what he did when he knew about it.” (Ann Coulter, Treason, p. 260)

Timeliness

Is the page dated? If so, when was the last update? How current are the links? Have some

expired or moved? Check the copyright date

If it’s technical or scientific information, you will want current (less than 4 years old)

Seminal works (those that influence an entire field) could be forty years old and still applicable.

Coverage

What topics are covered? What does the page offer that is not

found elsewhere? What is its intrinsic value? How in-depth is the material?

Is this the right source for my research?

Read the table of contents Check the blurbs Read the bibliography or check out the links Read the first and last couple of paragraphs—is it

addressing my needs? Check the copyright date

If it’s technical or scientific information, you will want current (less than 4 years old)

Seminal works (those that influence an entire field) could be forty years old and still applicable.

Summarizing the Source

Take down all the pertinent information needed to cite the source in a bibliography (enter it directly into Noodle Tools)

In 3-6 sentences, write down the general nature of the source. What’s the big picture? What’s the author’s point of view? Is this a strong source (fair, primary, well-

written)?

Primary Source Documents

When researching, use primary source documents whenever possible. Primary sources are: Straight from the horse’s mouth

• Pieces of legislation• Library of Congress

Pictures, maps, documents• Lewis and Clark Expedition

Other Collections• The Library of Congress

Note: A speech is a primary source if you heard it given. It’s secondary if you have a text copy.

Primary Source Documents

Check out the bibliography Clues to other sources

• What the author drew upon for the article/book. Includes:

Novels Speeches Eyewitness accounts Interviews Letters Autobiographies Results of original research

Internet Sites for Primary Source Documents

Speeches The History

Channel Documents

US National Archives

General Information National Public

Radio

Info on the media Media Education

Foundation World Information

National Geographic

CIA Factbook Maps

Secondary Sources

Writings about primary sourcesCritical evaluation of irony in The CrucibleNewspaper reportsAnalysis and evaluations

Writings about author Writings about author’s accomplishments

Secondary Sources

These sources are always written from the writer’s point of viewProvide different ways of looking at

primary materialBe selective when usingQuote sparingly