Scholarly or Not!

Scholarly Or Not: How to Determine The Value of Online Sources

Game Purpose

What is the point of playing this game?

The purpose of this game is to help you discern between high quality and low quality sources. When writing argumentative essays, you must support your ideas with peer-reviewed scholarly sources. This game will help you learn how to write argumentative essays with quality sources.

How do I play this game?

Game Play

This is an individual game. The questions will vary by type, but the theme is scholarly source discernment. Each set of questions will have instructions. Follow the prompts as they come.

Before you play, let's review the difference between scholarly and not scholarly sources. Please read the text on the slide that proceeds this slide.

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Round 1: Determine the scholarly value of a source. For each question, determine whether or not the source is scholarly.

Multiple Choice

The Spanish Journal of Psychology: Is this source scholarly or not scholarly?

• It is scholarly.

• It is not scholarly.

• I am unsure.

Multiple Choice

Time Magazine: Is this source scholarly or not scholarly?

• It is scholarly.

• It is not scholarly.

Multiple Choice

National Geographic: Is this source scholarly or not scholarly?

• It is scholarly.

• It is not scholarly.

But National Geographic is educational...why is not scholarly?

Here is why...

Not all educational sources are scholarly sources. Scholarly sources require a particular amount peer review. Most scholarly sources will be produced in connection with a university. National Geographic is reliable, but not technically scholarly. It would be acceptable to use a source like this once or twice in an academic paper, but one should not rely on it.

Multiple Choice

European Journal of Internal Medicine: Is this source scholarly or not scholarly?

• It is scholarly.

• It is not scholarly.

Round 2: Discern between sources. For each question, pick the best source. This source should be both scholarly and reliable.

Multiple Choice

Pick the MOST scholarly source.

Multiple Choice

Pick the MOST scholarly source.

Multiple Choice

Pick the MOST scholarly source.

Round 3: Scenarios -- For each academic scenario, choose the best source.

Multiple Choice

You are searching for statistical data on the demographics of Ohio. Pick the best source for this search.

• Wikipedia

• US Census Bureau

But wait...why was there no scholarly option for the last question?

Common Exceptions to the "Scholarly Only" Rule

In situations where you need quick reliable statistical data, it is acceptable to use official sources that are not technically peer reviewed or done in an academic style. Government agencies such as a the Census Bureau are just as reliable as academic journals. The data they have is more accessible that statistical data from scholarly sources.

Multiple Choice

You are trying to find a quote by a politician from the 1930s. Which source would be most reliable?

• National Archives Website

• Brainyquote.com

• Goodreads.com

Multiple Choice

You are a field biologist seeking precipitation data in an area you will be working in. Which source would be the most reliable?

• The Weather Channel

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin

• Farmer's Almanac

Multiple Choice

You are writing an essay about the history of slavery in the United States. Which source would be the most objective and accurate?

• Smithsonian National Museum Website

• CIA World Factbook

• The History Channel

Scenario Reflection

Not all academic scenarios are the same...

You may have noticed that all the academic scenarios presented were different. When discerning sources, your choices will differ depending on the situation.

Game Purpose Reflection

I hope you enjoyed this game and improved your skills in the area of source selection. Remember, the quality of non-fiction writing is heavily dependent on source selection. You can have the best arguments, ideas, and writing style, but without quality sources you will lose people!