Critical Thinking 04 - Credibility

What should be considered when evaluating the author of a source?

• The author’s credentials (experience in the field or at a university)

• If the author has written about the topic somewhere else

• The types of organizations, research-based or commercial-based, in which the author may be associated

• The author's appearance and confidence level

What should be considered when evaluating the credibility of print sources?

• The source's publisher/sponsor

• The number of authors

• The source's cover - wheter it looks academic

• The source's title

Figuring out why the information was written will help learners decide if it is credible or not.

• True

• False

Reviewing the domain of a digital source does not impact whether or not it is credible.

• True

• False

What should be considered when evaluating the perspective of a source?

• The author’s age

• If the writing seems biased or unbiased

• The author’s point of view

• The language used in the source

It’s important to review any information about sources in the assignment instructions provided by the teacher when evaluating source credibility.

• True

• False

What should be considered to help determine if a source is scholarly/academic?

• It's peer-reviewed

• It is published in a reputable journal

• The points are supported with evidence

• There are no pictures, diagrams, and tables used in the source

Does it matter if a source is current (up-to-date) or not?

• Yes, with some exceptions to important pieces of writing

• No, the publishing dates do not interfere with credibility

• No, every source is important

• Yes, it demonstrates the author as being hip and trendy

Why is it important to evaluate the credibility of sources?

• Credible sources will provide the support to produce high-quality and convincing arguments

• Unreliable sources will make arguments less persuasive

• It’s only important if the source is current

• Getting credible sources gives you more marks/better reputation.