A.
WHO WROTE IT? (Authority)
Who is responsible for the content of the source? Can you
determine the name of the individual, the organization that
produced it?
B.
WHY WAS IT WRITTEN? (Objectivity)
The purpose of a source is very important to understand its
BIAS. Every creator has a purpose or viewpoint behind what
they publish. Print sources often state or imply the
purpose or intent of the text in the introduction or preface.
The purpose of an internet source is sometimes harder to
pinpoint. Look at the address for clues, and read the
material carefully for language that gives an opinion, viewpoint or
perspective. The BIAS helps us determine how to interpret
the information for our own use.
C.
WHEN WAS IT WRITTEN? (Currency)
Timeliness is often an important factor in the usefulness of
information. Look for copyright dates, updates, and
sources used. If the source contains references to other
pieces of information, can you discover when those were
produced? You need to look for CURRENT (within the last 3
to 4 years). For some topics, you will need information
even more current than that. This is when databases of
periodicals become valuable. Sometimes the documents in
the databases are posted before the item is on the newsstands or
in the mail!
D.
WHERE HAS THE INFORMATION BEEN PUBLISHED PREVIOUSLY?
(Accuracy)
The more reliable a source the more likely it is the information
contained in it was checked and verified. If the
information was just put out without such checks, you cannot
tell if it is true or not. Be cautious. Try to find
additional sources that confirm the information.
E.
HOW IS THE INFORMATION ORGANIZED AND PRESENTED? (Content &
Organization)
Does this source give you the information you need in an
ORGANIZED, well presented manner? Does it flow logically
from one point to another? If what you get is superficial
or gives only minimal data - one or two sentences or paragraphs-
then the source does not really give you much content.
Just a mention of your topic is NOT enough!
F.
IS IT A PRIMARY OR SECONDARY SOURCE?
This can be done by copying and pasting this section to your
document now saved on your "S" drive titled "Work-Sheet
of Relevant Facts." Answer the main questions A-E and
save your answers in the same document. |
