Credibility of Sources

Evaluating the Credibility of Online Sources

Modern American History
Mr. Smith

Poll

Do you believe that the speaker in the previous video is a credible source?

• Yes

• No

• Not Sure

Open Ended

Why or why not do you believe that Neil deGrasse Tyson is a credible source of information when studying astrophysics?

Whether or not a source is trustworthy and believable.

Depends on who wrote it and how it was written.

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Credibility

Is the author or the organization a recognied expert on the topic?

What are the credentials of the author/organization?

A recognized authority will typically be cited by other writers in the same field

Qualifications & Reputation of the Author

Multiple Select

What should a source have/be in order to be considered credible?

• A recognized expert in the field

• Credentials

• Popularity

• Cited by other academic works

• Consider the author's purpose and motivation.

• An academic journal will have a different goal than a political website or magazine.
  Inform vs. Persuade

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Circumstances in Which the Author Created the Source

Biased sources contain more opinions than facts

They present arguments in support of one position and ignore arguments that support the counter position

Identify the Perspective or Bias of the Author

Multiple Choice

Bias sources contain...

• nothing of historical importance

• more opinions than facts and sometimes a reliance on stereotypes

• only factual information

• the whole truth and nothing but the truth

A stereotype is a mistaken idea or belief many people have about a thing or group that is based upon how they look on the outside, which may be untrue or only partly true.

Stereotypical thinking implies overreaction to information that generates or confirms a stereotype, and underreaction to information that contradicts it.

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Stereotypes

Open Ended

Provide an example of a stereotype

Interactive Media Bias Chart | Ad Fontes MediaLayerScroll to topScroll to top

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Credible sources present information that can be verified by checking other sources

Internal consistency means sources should not present contradictory claims, information, or data within the source

Check additional sources to see if other trustworthy sources agree on main points and provide similar information and data

Accuracy and Internal Consistency

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Poll

Do you believe the previous website is a credible source for information on the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus?

• Yes

• No

• Not Sure

Open Ended

Why do you believe that the website is/is not credible?

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Poll

Do you believe the previous website is a credible source for information on Dihydrogen Monoxide?

• Yes

• No

• Not Sure

Open Ended

Why do you believe that the website is/is not credible?

Categorize

Options (16)

An academic journal

History Textbook

A statement from a credentialed expert

Scientific research paper

Government report

Peer-reviewed study

Expert testimony in court

Whitepaper from a reputable organization

Blog post from an anonymous author

Social media post with no sources cited

Tabloid newspaper article

Advertisement for a product making false claims

Personal blog with no expertise in the subject matter

Unsourced Wikipedia article

Opinion piece with no factual evidence

Forum post with no verification of information

Organize these sources into the right categories

Credible Source

Non-Credible Source