SSSM (Social Studies Skills and Methods)

How do you know if a newspaper article about a bill is biased?

• The article says the bill will probably be vetoed

• The article quotes the bill, word for word

• The article is printed before the vote on the bill

• The article only quotes people in favor of the bill

How do you know if a report is credible?

• The qualifications of those who wrote the report

• The cost of the report

• The number of tables or charts in the report

• The length of the report

Why would a book with a bibliography of all the author's sources make the book more credible?

• It allows the reader to investigate the author's reputation

• It allows the reader to form their own opinion on the topic

• It allows the reader to check the author's thoroughness

• It allows the reader to find other books on the same topic

How can a reader analyze the reliability of information?

• Visit some places mentioned

• Verify the accuracy of the information

• Read more books from the same author

• Listen to all the speeches with the same topic

Why are first hand documents a more credible source of information than a documentary?

• They were written by those who had first hand knowledge of the event

• The first hand documents would have no bias

• They must be written by experts

• They are easier to understand

Which is a more credible primary source?

• A novel

• A diary

• A movie

• A painting

Which statement provides support for the thesis that there would be less littering if there were more trash cans in the town parks?

• Donations will be used to purchase the trash cans

• Street crews will have to work extra to install new trash cans

• The trash cans must be installed permanently to prevent their theft

• Other towns that have installed trash cans in their parks have seen a decrease in the littering

How can you support the claim that students grades will improve if they work less hours at a job?

• surveys which tell students like jobs more than school

• data showing students don't do well at work

• studies which show students do better at school when thy work less hours

• data which shows athletes do better than non-athletes

How can you tell if a letter is credible?

• the writer tells his qualifications

• the writer uses stereotypes

• the writer doesn't speak about other issues

• the writer avoids facts