Evaluating Sources

Evaluating Sources
Preparing for Meaningful and Authentic Research

I can determine whether a source is credible and explain why or why not.

Success Criteria

I am learning to assess the credibility of various sources.

Learning Intention

Evaluating Sources

The next slide will give you a website to research. Open the website and start reading.
Be ready to share at least 3 pieces of information you learned from the article.

​

Article read-through

Home

Open in new tab

Copy link

Open Ended

Write out three pieces of information you learned from the article.

Open Ended

Is there any evidence you find questionable? If so, explain.

"I think it is questionable that ____ because ___."

Did the website provide information about the author?

Does the website support any facts with cited evidence?

Do provided links take you to credible websites?

Is this published on a well-known or trusted organization's website?

Ask yourself:

We try to figure out whether the information from that source is reliable or trustworthy. We want to know if the information is true or real.

Credibility:

Website Credibility

Website Credibility
Work with the person next to you. Determine if this website is credible.

Poll

Is this website credible (true, real, reliable)?

• Yes.

• No.

• Still unsure.

Evaluating Sources:

• The author should be known and credible

  • Examples: doctors, experts, credentials, etc.

• Most reliable websites will be a government (.gov), an academic institution (.edu), or a nonprofit (.org)

  • Business websites (.com) can be considered credible

• Authors should stick to facts (NO OPINIONS!)

• Information should be from within the last 15 years

• Information from the source should be supported elsewhere

  • Must be proven by at least three other reliable sources

Poll

Consider this source:

A 2017 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service official report of the effects of pollution on marine life.

Would a source like this be credible?

• Yes.

• No.

• Depends.

• Not sure.

Poll

Consider this source:

A pet owner's blog about her sick fish.

Would a source like this be credible?

• Yes.

• No.

• Depends.

• Not sure.

Poll

Consider this source:

A current article about illegal waste disposal, published by a middle school newspaper.

Would a source like this be credible?

• Yes.

• No.

• Depends.

• Unsure.

Poll

Consider this source:

An article in a recent issue of The New York Times about oil spills and bird life.

Would a source like this be credible?

• Yes.

• No.

• Depends.

• Unsure.

Open Ended

Exit ticket:

What does credible mean?