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Evaluating Sources, Group Members - Coggle Diagram
Evaluating Sources
Read with an Open Mind and a Critical Eye.
Being alert for signs of bias
Bias means be partialized, not being objective
The researcher has to consider if a paper is biased or not
A good way to check biased projects is to ask for reference with the librarian
Check carefully the arguments the author is giving to his stament
Assessing the author`s argument
All Topics can generate debate, so it is important to have some questions in mind to check the author´s arguments. For Example:
Checking for signs of Bias
● Does the author endorse political or religious views?
Is the author or publisher associated with a special-interest group?
● Are alternative views presented ? How fairly does
the author treat opposing views?
● Does the author’s language show signs of bias?
Assessing an argument
● What is the author’s central claim or thesis?
How does the author support this claim? With evidence or beliefs/anecdote?
Are statistics consistent with those you encounter in other sources?
Are any of the author’s assumptions questionable?
● Does the author consider opposing arguments and refute them persuasively?
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As you begin reading the sources you have chosen
Keep an open mind
Do not close from listening to new ideas and opposing viewpoints.
Be curious about the wide range of positions in the research conversation you are entering.
Reading critically means
• Reading carefully
What does the source say?
• Reading skeptically
Are any of the author’s points or conclusions problematic?
• Reading evaluatively
How does this source help me make my argument?
Distinguishing between primary and secondary sources
Primary
Include
Letters, diaries, legislative bills, laboratory studies, field research reports.
Secondary
Include
Another writer’s opinions about or interpretation of a
primary source.
USING SOURCES RESPONSIBLY:
Take time to read the entire source
Try to understand an author’s arguments, assumptions, and conclusions.
Avoid taking quotations from the first few pages of a source
Understand if the words and ideas
are representative for the work
Assess Web Sources with Care.
Sources found on the Web can provide valuable information
Make sure you know who created the material and for what purpose
Evaluating sources you find on the Web
Authorship
Does the Web site or document have an author?
Do some clicking and scrolling to find the author’s name.
If you have landed directly on an internal page of a site
You need to navigate to find the name of the author.
Can you tell whether is knowledgeable and credible?
Look for links which provide evidence of author’s interests and expertise.
Sponsorship
Who sponsors the site?
The sponsor of a site is often named and described on the home page.
What does the URL tell you?
It often indicates the type of group hosting the site:
Commercial (.com)
Nonprofit (.org)
Educational (.edu)
governmental(.gov)
military (.mil)
network (.net)
URLs also indicate a country of origin
.uk (United Kingdom)
.jp (Japan)
Purpose and audience
Why was the site created?
To argue a position?
To sell a product?
To inform readers?
Who is the site’s intended audience?
Currency
How current is the site?
Check for the date of publication or the latest update
It is often located at the bottom, at the beginning, or at the end of an internal page.
How current are the site’s links?
If many of the links no longer work, the site may be too dated for your purposes.
Construct an Annotated Bibliography.
Gives an opportunity to summarixe, evaluate, and record information,
Steps
Evaluate each source for accuaracy,quality, and relevance.
Ask yourself how the source will contribute to the research.
Summarize each source to understand the main ideas.
Features
Brief entry for each source(100-200 words)
An evaluation of each source. Helps to analyze how th source fits into your project.
Separates the source´s ideas from your own
A list of sources arranged in alphabetical order by the author.
A summary of each source (main ideas) must be written in the third person and the present tense.
Writing your annotated bibliography
Draft
Arrange the sources in alphabetical order by author
Provide bibliographic information for each source.
Start your summary by identifying the thesis and purpose of the
source
Revise
Ask the reviewers for specific feedback.
Explore
Brainstorm responses to questions such as:
The purpose of the source
The author´s thesis -> evidence.
Quealification and expertise of the author.
Your opinion of the source
Group Members
Nicole Chacón
Nicole Espinoza
Paulo Morales
Paul Piedra
Christian Tapia