Is it a reliable source?

Which of the following is considered a reliable source for a research paper?

• A personal blog

• A peer-reviewed journal article

• Wikipedia

• A social media post written by a psychic cat.

Answer explanation

Peer-reviewed articles undergo rigorous evaluation by experts in the field, making them a reliable source of information.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.5

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

What makes a source unreliable for research purposes?

• Extensive citations and references

• A well-known author

• Recent publication date

• Lack of transparency and credibility

Answer explanation

Unreliable sources often lack verifiable information and credibility.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.5

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Which of the following is a characteristic of an unreliable source?

• It is available in a reputable library database

• The source has been peer-reviewed

• The author's qualifications are unknown

• Multiple credible sources corroborate the information

Answer explanation

Reliable sources typically have authors with recognized expertise in the subject.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.5

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

What is a common characteristic of reliable sources?

• They are free to access online

• They are often opinion-based

• They are up-to-date but lack historical context

• They provide clear citations and references

Answer explanation

Reliable sources should have proper citations to verify their information.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.5

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

What should you consider when evaluating the reliability of a source?

• The source's title and publication date

• The source's formatting and layout

• The source's length and word count

• The source's use of colorful images and graphics

Answer explanation

These elements can give you important information about the source's relevance and currency.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.5

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

What is a key indicator of a reliable source?

• Number of social media followers
• Length of the article
• Number of images in the source
• A transparent and balanced presentation of information

Answer explanation

Reliable sources strive to present information objectively and without bias.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.5

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Which of the following is a common feature of unreliable sources?

• A well-structured and organized layout

• A bibliography listing credible references

• An emotional or inflammatory language

• Extensive use of charts and graphs

Answer explanation

Unreliable sources often use emotional language and may rely on sensationalism rather than facts.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.5

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Which source would NOT be considered a reliable British Literature research source?

• University website
• A book about the history of British Literature

• Personal blog
• Scholarly journal

Answer explanation

Personal blogs may lack peer review and could contain biased or unverified information.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.5

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Which of the following is a common sign of an unreliable source?

• A clear and transparent methodology

• A list of reputable sources that contradict its claims

• A website with a domain name ending in ".edu"

• A font choice that looks like it was designed by a squirrel on a caffeine binge.

Answer explanation

Reliable sources typically have professional and legible formatting, while unreliable ones may use unconventional fonts and designs.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.5

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Why should you be cautious when citing Wikipedia in your research paper?

• Wikipedia articles are always up-to-date and accurate.

• Information on Wikipedia can be edited by anyone and may lack proper citations.

• Wikipedia is a peer-reviewed source.

• Wikipedia articles often include humorous dad jokes to entertain readers.

Answer explanation

While Wikipedia can be a useful starting point for research, it should be used cautiously and supplemented with more reliable sources due to its collaborative and editable nature.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.5

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.9