EVALUATING SOURCESEVALUATING SOURCES

THE GOODTHE GOOD

THE BADTHE BAD

THE UGLYTHE UGLY

HOW TO NAVIGATE THIS HOW TO NAVIGATE THIS WORKSHOPWORKSHOP

This workshop is an introduction to evaluating sources. It This workshop is an introduction to evaluating sources. It includes only basic techniques used when considering includes only basic techniques used when considering which sources are reliable and which are not.which sources are reliable and which are not.

Read and understand each slide before moving on to the Read and understand each slide before moving on to the next one.next one.

Complete the 10 activities and hand all in to your instructor. Complete the 10 activities and hand all in to your instructor.

This workshop is worth 2 GPAW hours.This workshop is worth 2 GPAW hours.

WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO EVALUATE WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO EVALUATE SOURCES?SOURCES?

The Internet is a mish-mash of everything on earth: The Internet is a mish-mash of everything on earth: articles, publications, conversations, commercial articles, publications, conversations, commercial ventures, and more. Some sites are helpful, some are ventures, and more. Some sites are helpful, some are humorous, and some are harmful. It’s the Internet user’s humorous, and some are harmful. It’s the Internet user’s responsibility to interact responsibility to interact carefullycarefully and critically with this and critically with this informationinformation. This is especially true for serious research.. This is especially true for serious research.

Which sources should we evaluate?Which sources should we evaluate?

Rule of thumb: Evaluate Rule of thumb: Evaluate allall sources. sources.1. 1. Print sourcesPrint sources (magazines, journals, newspapers, books, etc. . . ).(magazines, journals, newspapers, books, etc. . . ).

2. 2. Library subscription sourcesLibrary subscription sources (Infotrac, Wilson Select, etc. . . ).(Infotrac, Wilson Select, etc. . . ).

3. 3. Internet sourcesInternet sources (Websites, online newspapers, commercial sites, etc …).(Websites, online newspapers, commercial sites, etc …).

4. 4. Interview sourcesInterview sources (first hand interviews, television interviews, etc. . . ).(first hand interviews, television interviews, etc. . . ).

TO KNOW IF A SOURCE IS SOLID, TO KNOW IF A SOURCE IS SOLID, WE MUST DIG DEEPLY.WE MUST DIG DEEPLY.

LET’S CONSIDER HOW TO EVALUATE LET’S CONSIDER HOW TO EVALUATE SOURCES BY SOURCES BY ASKING QUESTIONSASKING QUESTIONS::

11. . WHEREWHERE DID YOU FIND THE SOURCE? DID YOU FIND THE SOURCE?

2. 2. WHOWHO IS THE AUTHOR? IS THE AUTHOR?

3. 3. WHENWHEN WAS ITEM PUBLISHED/POSTED? WAS ITEM PUBLISHED/POSTED?

4.4. HOW HOW RELIABLE IS THE INFORMATION? RELIABLE IS THE INFORMATION?

WHEREWHERE

Consider where you are getting information. Research includes printed matter, interviews, and online materials. With the Internet so accessible to us, we practically have all the information in the world at our reach. Some of it is good, and some is bad.

REMEMBER, because it is on the Web DOES NOT mean it is solid, truthful, or reliable information.

SOURCESSOURCESWHAT DOES YOUR TEXTBOOK SAY?WHAT DOES YOUR TEXTBOOK SAY?

ACTIVITY #1:ACTIVITY #1:

Turn to page 576 in your Writing: A Guide for College and Beyond.

Answer these questions:

1. What is the danger of using search engines to find research material?

2. How can you evaluate the credibility of a site?

3. What does your textbook say about “Other Internet sources”?

SOURCESOURCE

Many sources on the Internet are written by people who are not experts in the topic, who have not consulted solid research, and who have a personal agenda driving their text.

In academic research, such as you are doing, you will want to use scholarly research and journals. These are the most reliable.

SOURCE:SOURCE:

Let's look at periodicals. There are four major types of periodicals,

and each one has a targeted audience,

purpose,

and style.

SOURCE:SOURCE:Pay close attention to the scholarly:Pay close attention to the scholarly:

1. SCHOLARLY: (Journal of Medicine, Journal of Nursing, Journal of Historical Review, College English)

Author: Scholar in field -- Peer Reviewed References: Always cite sources Purpose: To Educate

2. GENERAL INTEREST: (National Geographic, New York Times, Fortune )

Author: Editor , Staff, or free-lance writerReferences: Sometimes cite sourcesPurpose: To inform

3. POPULAR MAGAZINE: ( People, Reader’s Digest, Jet, Source, Time, Seventeen)

Author: Editor, Staff, free-lance writerReferences: Almost never cite sourcesPurpose: To entertain, to inform about popular culture, to sell magazine

4. Tabloid Magazine: (Star, National Enquirer, The Sun)

Author: Staff, free-lance writer References: Never cite sourcesPurpose: To entertain, to sell magazines

SOURCE:SOURCE:

In academic writing, we will want to use scholarly texts because these cite their sources, are written by people who are experts in their fields, and are reviewed or edited by other experts in the field.

SCHOLARLY: (Journal of Medicine, Journal of Nursing, Journal of Historical Review, College English)

Author: Scholar in field -- Peer Reviewed References: Always cite sources Purpose: To Educate

PEER REVIEWED/SCHOLARLYPEER REVIEWED/SCHOLARLY

Peer reviewed (or Reviewed Journal) is an important phrase to remember when doing serious research. Several experts who did not know the author of the piece read the article. This “blind reading” helps build credibility; the article is printed because of its accuracy, research, and reliability.

A cardiologist will review an article about heart problems.

A literature professor will review an article about Shakespeare.

An American history specialist will review an article about Lincoln.

SOURCE:SOURCE:

We also use periodicals that are considered General Interest.

Remember: These are not peer reviewed, so they are less credible than Scholarly sources. This does not mean that we cannot use them; rather, we will pick and choose these with a critical eye.

GENERAL INTEREST: (National Geographic, New York Times )

Author: Editor , Staff, or free-lance writerReferences: Sometimes cite sourcesPurpose: To inform

SOURCES:SOURCES:

Where do we find Scholarly or General Interest sources?

These are right at the fingertips of the student scholar. Many colleges purchase databases, such as Info trac, First Search, and Lexus-Nexus, to give students access to important sources.

ACTIVITY #2ACTIVITY #2

For the next activity, practice accessing sources from our library database. The next two slides will help you access a general interest article and a scholarly article.

Go through the stages for both, and print these articles. You will need a hard copy to use when completing other activities in this GPAW.

SOURCES:SOURCES:Let’s Practice: Activity #2Let’s Practice: Activity #2

Follow the below directions to access a practice article:1. Go to JCC website.2. Click the “Quick Links” tab and choose “library”.3. Choose the “Research Databases” selection.4. Choose “Wilson Select” option.5. Type in “Afraid of the Bird Flu? The Worse Virus is Fear”.6. Click “Keyword” and instead scroll down to “title”.7. Click Search.8. Click “View full text in html”.9. Print copy of the article.

Keep this article. We will refer to it again.

Practice with a source:Practice with a source:Activity #3Activity #3

1. Circle the title of the magazine or journal. This is usually found at the top of the page under the heading, “Source”. (It is not found under “Title” because that is where the title of the article is located).

2. Consider the type of periodical—is it scholarly, general interest, popular, or sensational?

ANSWERANSWER

The “Afraid of the Bird Flu” article is a “General Interest” periodical because it is from a magazine that is not peer- reviewed—Fortune.

The article “Highly Pathogenic Avian Flu” is from a scholarly source because it is from a peer-reviewed source —Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Can we use these sources?

Consider other criteria with a Critical Eye.

WHO

Consider the author—should we trust her research?

Look for clues as you

consider these texts.

Authorship

When considering a source for your paper, be sure to have a working understanding about authorship; who wrote it? Many times this information helps us determine if the source is credible (or not), if the writer has done her own research (or not), and if we can rely on this information for our own papers (or not).

Consider:Name?Degree?Expertise?Contact information?Other contributions to topic/field?

AUTHORSHIP

NOTE: If your article does not have an author, or if it has an author who has little connection to your subject , try to find a different article.

For example, an article about AIDS is more reliable if it was written by a doctor of contagious diseases than if it was written by a journalist or a columnist. Be cautious.

Remember—you want your reader to trust your research, so you will want the most reliable authorities in your work.

Authorship

IF YOUR SOURCE DOES NOT HAVE AN

AUTHOR—DO NOT BE AFRAID TO DO THE

FOLLOWING EARLY ON:

Trash that article.

Start anew with a good source.

Practice with Bird Flu articles:Activity #4

Look for the names of the authors. Sometimes these are found at the top of the article, and sometimes they are found at the bottom. Examine the authorship for both articles.

Circle the author(s) of each article.Complete the following:

1. Write his/her name.2. Where do they work?3. Any publications? If so, write the name of it here.4. Contact information? If so, write email or phone # here.

Write three or more sentences explaining why you might consider these articles for use in your paper.

WHEN WAS IT PUBLISHED?WHEN WAS IT PUBLISHED?

Is the information current?Is the information current?

Is it “old news”?Is it “old news”?

Was the research completed within the past Was the research completed within the past few months? Years? Decades?few months? Years? Decades?

Does it matter?Does it matter?

When was it published?When was it published?

The timeliness depends upon the subject. The timeliness depends upon the subject.

For example, if you were writing a research paper For example, if you were writing a research paper about about LincolnLincoln, the timeliness of the journal article , the timeliness of the journal article is notis not as important as if you were writing an as important as if you were writing an article about article about AIDSAIDS. Medical research is ongoing . Medical research is ongoing and changes regularly, as does computer and changes regularly, as does computer technology, automotive safety, and consumer technology, automotive safety, and consumer economics (such as gas prices). While historical economics (such as gas prices). While historical research is also ongoing, it does not fluctuate as research is also ongoing, it does not fluctuate as much as other topics.much as other topics.

When was it published?When was it published?

Look for the publication date at the top of Look for the publication date at the top of the article page.the article page.

For example: If you see the following:For example: If you see the following:People People 13 no 11 12 13 no 11 12 N 24 2005N 24 2005

The N 24 2005 declares the article was written November 24, 2005.The N 24 2005 declares the article was written November 24, 2005.

Sometimes you will see the month and the year.Sometimes you will see the month and the year.Sometimes you will see the month, date, and the year.Sometimes you will see the month, date, and the year.Sometimes you will see the season and the year (Fall 2001)Sometimes you will see the season and the year (Fall 2001)

Turn pageTurn page

When was it published?When was it published?Activity #5Activity #5

Practice with the Bird Flu articles. Practice with the Bird Flu articles.

Consider when they were published. You will find Consider when they were published. You will find the date of publication at the top of the article the date of publication at the top of the article along with the citation information.along with the citation information.

----Circle the datesCircle the dates at the top of the page. at the top of the page.----Write the datesWrite the dates on your workshop papers. on your workshop papers.----For both—writeFor both—write 2-3 sentences explaining whether 2-3 sentences explaining whether

or not the article is current enough for a possible or not the article is current enough for a possible research paper about Bird Flu?research paper about Bird Flu?

HOW RELIABLE?HOW RELIABLE?

Should you trust this information?Should you trust this information?

Look for clues:Look for clues:

1.1. Revisit the source of the article.Revisit the source of the article.2.2. Look for references at the end of the piece.Look for references at the end of the piece.3.3. Look for biased language.Look for biased language.

How Reliable?How Reliable?

Revisit the source. If you found your Revisit the source. If you found your information on the Internet, again, be information on the Internet, again, be very cautious. Look at the web address very cautious. Look at the web address to consider the purpose of the piece:to consider the purpose of the piece:

.com—a commercial venture .com—a commercial venture (be cautious)(be cautious)

.net– a network .net– a network (be cautious)(be cautious)

.edu—educational association .edu—educational association (some good-some not)(some good-some not)

.gov—government documents .gov—government documents (generally ok)(generally ok)

.org—specific organization .org—specific organization (consider purpose)(consider purpose)

HOW RELIABLE?HOW RELIABLE?

Remember—if you look at your source from the library Remember—if you look at your source from the library database, it will say: “database, it will say: “First SearchFirst Search.oclc” at the bottom. .oclc” at the bottom. The library purchased the The library purchased the First SearchFirst Search database for you database for you to access quality sources. When you use the library to access quality sources. When you use the library database, you need to consider the reliability of the database, you need to consider the reliability of the source—the title of the magazine, the authorship, the source—the title of the magazine, the authorship, the timeliness, etc… .timeliness, etc… .

ButBut—when you use Internet search engines such as —when you use Internet search engines such as Google, Dogpile, or Yahoo, Google, Dogpile, or Yahoo, you must consideryou must consider the use of the use of .com, .net, .org when you are thinking about the .com, .net, .org when you are thinking about the reliability. reliability. BeBe cautiouscautious..

HOW RELIABLE?HOW RELIABLE?

Next, look for a list of references at the end Next, look for a list of references at the end of the piece. Scholarly articles usually of the piece. Scholarly articles usually include references.include references.

Reference lists make the article more Reference lists make the article more reliable.reliable.

HOW RELIABLE?HOW RELIABLE?

Finally, look for bias or lack of careful editing. These clues Finally, look for bias or lack of careful editing. These clues hint at the overall purpose of the piece: to vent or to put hint at the overall purpose of the piece: to vent or to put forth an agenda. forth an agenda.

Look for clues:Look for clues:Bias wordsBias words (“flaming liberal”, “fanatic”, “jerk”)(“flaming liberal”, “fanatic”, “jerk”)

SlangSlang (“you know”, “Whatever!”)(“you know”, “Whatever!”)Sweeping generalizationsSweeping generalizations (“everyone knows”, “it’s a known fact”)(“everyone knows”, “it’s a known fact”)

Just as you consider your own writings with an eye toward cleaning the Just as you consider your own writings with an eye toward cleaning the text of bias, slang, and generalizations, you should expect the text of bias, slang, and generalizations, you should expect the articles you use to do the same. If they do not, they may not be articles you use to do the same. If they do not, they may not be reliable.reliable.

HOW RELIABLE?HOW RELIABLE?

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RELIABILITY OF THE SOURCE, DO NOT BE AFRAID RELIABILITY OF THE SOURCE, DO NOT BE AFRAID TO DO THE FOLLOWING EARLY ON:TO DO THE FOLLOWING EARLY ON:

Trash that articleTrash that article

Start anew with a good sourceStart anew with a good source

HOW RELIABLE?HOW RELIABLE?Activity #6Activity #6

Practice with your two Bird Flu articles. First, look Practice with your two Bird Flu articles. First, look at the sources. Do they come from general at the sources. Do they come from general interest or scholarly journals? interest or scholarly journals?

Do they include references at the end of the text?Do they include references at the end of the text?

Are they biased in any way? Are they biased in any way?

Look at next slide Look at next slide

HOW RELIABLE?HOW RELIABLE?Activity #6Activity #6

Write the source information (again) for each Write the source information (again) for each article. Do you think these sources are reliable?article. Do you think these sources are reliable?

Do the articles include a list of references? Explain Do the articles include a list of references? Explain how these references establish credibility (2-3 how these references establish credibility (2-3 sentences).sentences).

Read both texts. Is there any biased language? Read both texts. Is there any biased language? Slang? Sweeping generalizations? Talk about Slang? Sweeping generalizations? Talk about your findings in 2-3 sentences.your findings in 2-3 sentences.

PRINT THIS SLIDE FOR ACTIVITY #7.PRINT THIS SLIDE FOR ACTIVITY #7.Choose: “Print slide # 36” from the printing options.Choose: “Print slide # 36” from the printing options.

FILL IN EACH BOX WITH INFORMAITON FROM ONE OF THE FILL IN EACH BOX WITH INFORMAITON FROM ONE OF THE SOURCES YOU ARE USING IN A CURRENT PAPER.SOURCES YOU ARE USING IN A CURRENT PAPER.

ARTICLE TITLEARTICLE TITLE

AUTHOR’S AUTHOR’S NAMENAME

WHEN WHEN PUBLISHED?PUBLISHED?

HOW RELIABLE?HOW RELIABLE?

Where found?Where found?

Library database?Library database?

Google?Google?

Degree?Degree? Is it current?Is it current? .COM?.COM?

.NET? .NET? ??

.ORG?.ORG?

.EDU .GOV.EDU .GOV

Scholarly?Scholarly? Is it Peer Reviewed?Is it Peer Reviewed?

GENERAL INTEREST?GENERAL INTEREST?

Contact Info?Contact Info? Topic explored?Topic explored? Any slang?Any slang?

List here.List here.

OTHER?OTHER? ANY OTHER INFO?ANY OTHER INFO? Is timeliness Is timeliness important?important?

Any generalizations?Any generalizations?

List hereList here

ACTIVITY #8ACTIVITY #8

Based on the information from this Based on the information from this workshop, write a workshop, write a one-pageone-page reflection explaining why you think reflection explaining why you think your source your source is reliableis reliable or not. or not.

IF IN DOUBT ABOUT YOUR IF IN DOUBT ABOUT YOUR SOURCE--SOURCE--

DO THE FOLLOWING EARLY ON:DO THE FOLLOWING EARLY ON:

Trash that articleTrash that article

Look for another source.Look for another source.

FIND AN UNRELIABLE SOURCEFIND AN UNRELIABLE SOURCEActivity #9Activity #9

Please do the following:Please do the following:

1.1. List the four criteria for evaluating List the four criteria for evaluating sources.sources.

2.2. Find an unreliable sourceFind an unreliable source on Google on Google about the Bird Flu. about the Bird Flu. Print and staple it to Print and staple it to the workshop materials. the workshop materials.

3.3. Give two reasons why you consider it Give two reasons why you consider it unreliable. unreliable.

REFLECTIONREFLECTIONACTIVITY #10ACTIVITY #10

1. Write a one-page reflection about what you have 1. Write a one-page reflection about what you have learned from this workshop? learned from this workshop?

2.Make sure each activity is labeled as “Activity #1” 2.Make sure each activity is labeled as “Activity #1” and “Activity #2” etc. . . .and “Activity #2” etc. . . .

3. Include the articles used:3. Include the articles used:--2 bird flu articles from library database--2 bird flu articles from library database

--1 bird flu article from google that you found unreliable--1 bird flu article from google that you found unreliable -- the current article you are considering for your paper-- the current article you are considering for your paper

-- the “unreliable source” you found for activity #9-- the “unreliable source” you found for activity #9

4. Staple all written work and articles together, and 4. Staple all written work and articles together, and hand in to your instructorhand in to your instructor..

If you have any questions or If you have any questions or comments:comments:

Please contact:Please contact:

Diana Agy (Diana Agy (agydianam@jccmi.eduagydianam@jccmi.edu))

Geri Jacobs (Geri Jacobs (jacobsgeraldii@jccmi.edujacobsgeraldii@jccmi.edu))