Ch 19 Evaluating Sources

The tendency to accept, agree with, or search for information from sources that confirm what you already believe or think is _____________.

The tendency to attribute motives or reasons for the behavior or ideas of others to a personality trait rather than to a particular situation is

• Confirmation Bias

• Attribution Bias

• Misinformation

• prejudice

What is bias?

• When a writer uses only his or her own experiences to support their claims.

• When a writer doesn't have an opinion on the topic, but they've chosen sides.

• When a writer has such strong feelings about a topic that they ignore conflicting evidence.

You are writing a report on the causes of the War of 1812. Which TWO sources below would be most credible and relevant?

• A newspaper article written in 1811 about the rising tensions between the two sides.

• Excerpts from a journal written by the commander of an army regiment during the war.

• "The War of 1812" entry in Wikipedia

• A website from the UC Berkeley department of history on the causes and effects of the War of 1812.

Which source is more trustworthy to answer this question?

Who was present at the signing of the Declaration of Independence?

• A movie about the American Revolution that was made in 2001

• A book written by a famous historian who is an expert on the American Revolution, published in 1999

• A blog about the Declaration of Independence

• None of the above

You are writing an article on caring for houseplants. Look at the following source and evaluate whether it is relevant and credible. Check all boxes that apply.

Growing an Outdoor Vegetable Garden published in 2021 by the New York Botanical Garden.

• credible only

• both credible and relevant

• relevant only

• neither credible nor relevant

Select all the correct answers.

Daryl is conducting research about how small businesses can effectively use social media for marketing. He found an article on this topic in an online, peer-reviewed journal. What two pieces of information would make this online journal a credible source of information? Select all the correct answers.

• external links to interesting articles

• advertisements embedded in the content

• a reference list that cites sources

• a table with fun facts about the topic

• the author’s qualifications

Select the correct answer.

Kai began the research process by asking, “How does playing a musical instrument improve academic performance?” Now, he needs to modify his major research question as a result of his research. Which question narrows the focus of his research?

• Does listening to classical music improve the thinking skills of children?

• Does playing piano improve the math scores of high school students?

• What is the connection between music and memory?

• What is the relationship between music education and academic achievement?

A claim or thesis that conveys a perspective developed through a line of reasoning and supported by evidence

• claim

• bias

• argument

• assumption

A belief regarded as true and often unstated

• commentary

• concession

• evidence

• assumption