CS #3- Evaluating Sources

Issues can be analyzed through the critical use of information from public records, surveys, research data and policy positions of advocacy groups.

• True
• False

record required by law to be kept such county tax records, a report issued by a state agency or the Congressional Record

• public record
• research data
• credibility of sources
• public opinion survey

determining believability by considering qualifications/reputation of the writer; circumstances in which the source material was created; internal consistency and agreement with other credible sources; use of supporting evidence and logical conclusions; and evidence of bias or unstated assumptions

• public record
• research data
• credibility of sources
• public opinion survey

Community residents must decide whether to expand their current high school building or build a new one to handle a rising student population. Supporters of a new high school believe that a new building would be less costly for taxpayers than expanding the old one. In evaluating the credibility of this claim, community residents should pay particular attention to the

• projected data on costs provided by engineers and accountants
• number of students the new high school can hold
• money spent by supporters on disseminating their point of view
• popularity of the supporters of community leaders

In 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea. The United States sent troops to the area to protect its ally, South Korea. What is the best way to find a credible explanation of this event?

• Ask the current leaders of North Korea why their country was invaded.
• Read a book by a U.S. general about the war.
• Investigate multiple sources dealing with the war in Korea.
• Read a U.S. Government report on the war.

Citizen A's Remarks Smoking is dangerous to one's health. A study by the U.S. Surgeon General shows that smoking increases the risk of heart disease and lung cancer. Taxpayers are then required to pay the medical bills to treat people suffering from diseases caused by smoking. What should someone pay particular attention to if he or she sought to determine the credibility of Citizen A's remarks?

• How well Citizen A supports his or her position with facts.
• Whether or not Citizen A smokes cigarettes.
• The past voting record of Citizen A.
• Whether Citizen A pays his taxes on time.

A coalition of environmental groups released a study on how a proposed new housing development would impact local wildlife. Which factor should be considered in evaluating the credibility of the study?

• cost of publishing the study
• use of graphs to display research data
• public opinion about the housing development
• possible biases of the sponsoring organization

You are engaged in a civic action project for American Government class. You will need to evaluate the credibility of each source you use in your project. What are the considerations in evaluating the credibility of sources? Select three correct responses.

• the qualifications and reputation of the writer or organization
• the internal consistency
• the use of supporting evidence and logical conclusions
• the cost to purchase the source
• the ease of availability

Researching a civic issue involves determining which sources of information are relevant to the task. Which source would be the most relevant if you wanted to determine how your U.S. Representatives voted on national education issues?

• the National Organization for Women Facebook page
• the Congressional Record
• a report by your local school board
• a Gallup Poll

Which sources have the appropriate qualifications to be a credible source of information about how a proposed tax cut would affect the U.S. national debt? Select two.

• a report published by the Congressional Budget Office
• a podcast by a Political Action Committee
• a letter to the editor of a newspaper from an engineer
• a tax policy analysis from the Department of the Treasury