Source Evaluation

The suffix .org is used for domain names of what type of organizations?

• internet service providers

• non-profit groups

• online stores

• schools and colleges

If an article is biased it shows _________.

• an unfair preference for or dislike of something

• a lack of education on the part of the writer

• a lack of seriousness on the part of the writer

• poor research or writing skills

What is the main disadvantage of Wikipedia?

• The articles are out of date.

• Topics are narrow or limited.

• Anyone can write or edit the articles.

• The articles have a political bias.

Alex wants to learn about dog care. Which source is most likely to have credible information for his report?

• Get Smart with Pet Mart, www.PetMart.com/tips: Delicious and nutritious, we offer a wide range of products for any breed of dog.

• Helen Miller Canine Advice, www.helensway.com/dog-care: When you bring a puppy into your life, you take on responsibility for its care. Helen Miller offers dog training classes.

• Debi's Doggy Dream, www.Debi'sDoggyDream.net: I have owned dogs for over 25 years. Visit my blog to learn about what the pooches in my care are up to day in and day out.

• American Society for Caring for Animals: www.ASCA.org: ASCA veterinarians and behaviorists offer these guidelines regarding your dog's health and daily activities.

Which source shows the least bias?

• Bill Clinton was clearly a terrible president. In fact, he may have been the worst president ever. Our country's lack of credibility among the rest of the world is all his fault.

• Historians are divided on the legacy of Clinton's presidency. Some say his economic policies were successful, but others challenge his personal integrity.

• Bill Clinton has gotten a bad rap. Criticism of his personal integrity may be valid, but what about his economic policies? He was the last president to have a surplus in the fed budget.

• I think that Bill Clinton was a great president. The problem was Congress at the time. The problem was Congress at the time. Right-wing conservatives spent too much time focusing on his personal behavior and not enough on moving our country forward.

What is a primary source?

• a document or other account written during an event

• a description of an event written later by a historian

• an opinion piece written by a subject matter expert

• the most important document or account for a given essay

Rika is writing a report on school uniforms for the school newspaper. Which source would be the best resource for her report?

• an advertisement from a company that sells school uniforms

• the website of a school that has decided to do away with school uniforms

• a blog post written by a student giving her opinion about wearing a school uniform

• an article written by an educator detailing the connection between dress and student achievement

Wikipedia can be helpful because ___________.

• It is a primary source document.

• Facts are checked by a professional fact checker.

• It provides citations and links to more credible sources.

• Information can be quoted from there without providing a citation.

All of the following may suggest bias, except:

• first-person, as in "I think"

• subjective language

• a lack of facts or examples

• a link to another source

Emily is writing a report on the connection between advertising junk food and children's health for her social studies class. Which online source is likely to have the most credible information?

• "Attracting the Adolescent Eye." Tips for capturing the growing teen market from the ad industry's leading association. www.adaa.teens.org

• "Junk Food and Teens." One mom's blog about how advertising turned three healthy teens into junk food junkies. www.brittablum.blog.net

• "Advertising and Children." A summary of the research on the effect of advertising on children and their eating behaviors. www.ped.schoolofmedicine.edu

• "Tailored for Teens." The disgraceful and dishonest practices of the advertisers seeking to attract the teen market. www.waverlytimes.com