Credible Sources

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Credible Sources?

• Do you believe everything you read on the
  Internet?

2
Do you believe everything you see on the Internet
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While researching an assignment on the auto
industry, Amber found this weird fact on the web.
She's considering using it in her paper.

• Chicken feathers can be used in the production of
  automobiles.

True or false
4
www.usda.gov
5
A case of necrotizing fasciitis (flesh eating
disease) can be contracted by eating bananas from
Costa Ricatrue or false?
www.snopes.com
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Currency
Relevance
Authority
Accuracy
Purpose
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Accuracy The reliability, truthfulness, and
correctness of the informational 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 biased and free of
  emotion?
• Are there spelling, grammar, or other
  typographical errors?

8
Authority- The source of the information? Who is
the author/publisher/source/sponsor? ? Are the
authors credentials or organizational
affliations given? ? What are the authors
qualifications 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
California's Velcro Crop under Challenge
(1993) by Ken Umbach http//home.inreach.com/kum
bach/velcro.html
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Accuracy and Authority
http//147.129.226.1/library/research/AIDSFACTS.ht
m
http//www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/fip.html
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Currency ?

• When was the information published or posted?
• Has the information been revised or updated?
• Is the information current or out-of-date for
  your topic?
• Are the links functional?

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Currency
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Purpose
http//http//zapatopi.net/afdb/

• What's the point of providing the information?
• Are both sides of an issue presented?
• Is the information fact? opinion? propaganda?
• Does the point of view appear objective and
  impartial?

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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 using
this source for a research paper?

• http//zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/

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Links for evaluation

• http//www.packagingtoday.com
• http//www.whoi.edu/science/B/people/kamaral/plast
  icsarticle.html
• http//www.iconn.org select Iconn resources
• Choose one of your own.