Evaluating Credible and Scholarly Scientific Sources
Assignment
In this assignment, you will examine three different sources - one source that would be considered scholarly, one source that is credible but not scholarly, and one source that would not be considered credible for use in an academic paper. After completing a worksheet on each source, can you identify which is which?
Instructions
When looking up various scientific topics, including the example topic this week on technology and food production in the U.S., you will find all kinds of information out there. Not all of it is reliable. In order to determine if a source provides credible information, you will need to take the time to evaluate that source first before you can trust its content. Who is the intended audience of the source? Who is the author or publisher and what is their purpose for publishing the resource? These are examples of the questions you will want to ask yourself when evaluating a source.
Examine these three sources and fill out the following worksheet for each one. You will be determining what type of source it is (scholarly, credible non-scholarly, and non-credible), its level of credibility, and its possible value or use within the scientific conversation about technology and agriculture in the U.S.
To help you determine the credibility of a source, refer this quick video tutorial on Evaluating Sources for Credibility. Additionally, consult the strategies outlined in the CRAAP TEST. Keep in mind that you are evaluating the sources themselves and not the content within the source, or whether you agree with the positions or statements that are expressed within the source. Please write your answers in complete sentences.
Source Links
Source #1:http://www.saynotogmos.org/
Source #2:http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0064879
Source #3:https://www.loc.gov/law/help/restrictions-on-gmos/usa.php
Source #1
1. What best describes the information within this source (choose all that apply):
Formal report of a study or academic analysis of an issue
Fact sheet / data / statistics
News
Government or organizational website
Opinion piece: expert? Journalist? amateur?
Anecdote / personal experience
Propaganda
What led you to choose this answer? Provide evidence or examples from the text.
2. Currency: For this topic, is the information...
Up to date
Outdated
Not sure (explain):
3. The purpose of the information is to:
Inform
Persuade
Entertain
Sell
Other:
What led you to choose this answer? Provide evidence or examples from the text.
4. Does the author provide reliable evidence to back up his or her assertions? How do you know? (Tip: Look for references within the text or presented as a list. Ask yourself if the references are formally formatted and if they add weight and credibility to the discussion.)
5. Who published this source?
The author himself/herself 0An academic journal
A magazine 0A professional organization
A government entity 0Other(explain):
6. The point of view of this source seems to be
Objective and impartial
Biased
How did you make this determination? Provide a specific example from the source.
7. Authority: What is/are the author(s)'s credentials? Does he or she have college degrees?
Experience related to the topic? A job in the field? Previously published work in this area?
8. Based on the information above, do you feel the target audience for this source is or could be an academic one? Why or why not?
9. Based solely on the information you have learned about this source, and not its content, do you think this is a credible source? Explain why or why not.
10. In my opinion this source is...
Scholarly
Non-scholarly and credible
Non-scholarly and not credible
Source #2
1. What best describes the information within this source (choose all that apply):
Formal report of a study or academic analysis of an issue
Fact sheet / data / statistics
News
Government or organizational website
Opinion piece: expert? Journalist? amateur?
Anecdote / personal experience
Propaganda
What led you to choose this answer? Provide evidence or examples from the text.
2. Currency: For this topic, is the information...
Up to date
Outdated
Not sure (explain):
3. The purpose of the information is to:
Inform
Persuade
Entertain
Sell
Other:
What led you to choose this answer? Provide evidence or examples from the text.
4. Does the author provide reliable evidence to back up his or her assertions? How do you know? Tip: Look for references within the text or presented as a list. Ask yourself if the references are formally formatted and if they add weight and credibility to the discussion.)
5. Who published this source?
The author himself/herself 0An academic journal
A magazine 0A professional organization
A government entity 0Other(explain):
6. The point of view of this source seems to be
Objective and impartial
Biased
How did you make this determination? Provide a specific example from the source.
7. Authority: What is/are the author(s)'s credentials? Does he or she have college degrees?
Experience related to the topic? A job in the field? Previously published work in this area?
8. Based on the information above, do you feel the target audience for this source is or could be an academic one? Why or why not?
9. Based solely on the information you have learned about this source, and not its content, do you think this is a credible source? Explain why or why not.
10. In my opinion this source is...
Scholarly
Non-scholarly and credible
Non-scholarly and not credible
Source #3
1. What best describes the information within this source (choose all that apply):
Formal report of a study or academic analysis of an issue
Fact sheet / data / statistics
News
Government or organizational website
Opinion piece: expert? Journalist? amateur?
Anecdote / personal experience
Propaganda
What led you to choose this answer? Provide evidence or examples from the text.
2. Currency: For this topic, is the information...
Up to date
Outdated
Not sure (explain):
3. The purpose of the information is to:
Inform
Persuade
Entertain
Sell
Other:
What led you to choose this answer? Provide evidence or examples from the text.
4. Does the author provide reliable evidence to back up his or her assertions? How do you know?( Tip: Look for references within the text or presented as a list. Ask yourself if the references are formally formatted and if they add weight and credibility to the discussion.)
5. Who published this source?
The author himself/herself 0An academic journal
A magazine 0A professional organization
A government entity 0Other(explain):
6. The point of view of this source seems to be
Objective and impartial
Biased
How did you make this determination? Provide a specific example from the source.
7. Authority: What is/are the author(s)'s credentials? Does he or she have college degrees?
Experience related to the topic? A job in the field? Previously published work in this area?
8. Based on the information above, do you feel the target audience for this source is or could be an academic one? Why or why not?
9. Based solely on the information you have learned about this source, and not its content, do you think this is a credible source? Explain why or why not.
10. In my opinion this source is...
Scholarly
Non-scholarly and credible
Non-scholarly and not credible
Evaluation Criteria
Currency: The timeliness of the information.
- When was the information published or posted?
- Has the information been revised or updated?
- Does your topic require current information, or will older sources work as well?
- Are the links functional?
Relevance: The importance of the information for your needs.
- Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
- Who is the intended audience?
- Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?
- Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?
- Would you be comfortable citing this source in your research paper?
Authority: The source of the information.
- Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
- What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?
- Is the author qualified to write on the topic?
- Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?
-Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?
examples: .com .edu .gov .org .net
Accuracy: The reliability, truthfulness and correctness of the content.
- Where does the information come from?
- Is the information supported by evidence?
- Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
- Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
- Does the language or tone seem unbiased and free of emotion?
- Are there spelling, grammar or typographical errors?
Purpose: The reason the information exists.
- What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain or persuade?
- Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
- Is the information fact, opinion or propaganda?
- Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
- Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases?