HOW DO I KNOW???

How to Find Good Resources

Just remember CARS

Credibility Accuracy Reasonableness Support

Credibility

What about this source makes it believable (or not)?

How does this source know this information?

Why should I believe this source over another?

The key to credibility is the question of trust.

Ways to know something is NOT credible…

Anonymity  Does it say who wrote it?

Lack of Quality Control  Does it say if someone reviewed the

information? Bad grammar or misspelled words Most of the time, scholarly people will

check their work to make sure it is grammatically correct.

How do I know it’s accurate? The goal of the accuracy test is to

assure that the information is: Correct

Does the information apply to what you are researching?

Up to Date Was it published within the last ten years?

Factual Is the information based in fact or opinion?

Detailed Does the author go into great detail on the

topic, or is the article vague?

How do I know it’s reasonable? The test of reasonableness involves

examining the information for: Fairness

Does the author fairly represent the information? Test for facts vs. opinions!

Objectivity Does the author view the data from an

unbiased perspective? Consistency

Is the information consistent or does it contradict itself?

How do I know it’s unreasonable? Writers who put themselves in the

way of the argument, either emotionally or because of self interest, often reveal their lack of reasonableness.

If, for example, you find a writer inserting his or her own opinions about the topic, you know the information may be biased and therefore unreasonable.

What is support?

The area of support is concerned with the source of the information.

Much information, especially statistics and facts, come from other sources.

Citing sources strengthens the credibility of the information.

Always look to see where the writer got his or her information!

Questions to consider…

Where did this information come from? What sources did the creator use? Are the sources listed? Is there a bibliography or other

documentation? Does the author provide contact

information in case you wish to discuss an issue or request further clarification?

How does the writer know about this topic?

Recap of CARS

Credibility Accuracy Reasonableness Support DON’T FORGET TO CITE YOUR OWN

SOURCES!!!! Example: Time for Kids. Solar Storm

Hits Earth. By: Stephanie Kraus. January 30, 2012.

How to Search for Sources

When searching on Google or other search engines, always use short and simple words or phrases.

Don’t use questions in your search. Pick out key words or phrases to use

instead. If your search does not yield usable

results, try another combination of keywords.

Let’s try a few together!

How would we search about the BP oil spill in the Gulf?

What if we wanted to search specifically about how the ecosystem was effected?

How about the government involvement in sanctions against BP?