Using the 4 R

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Evaluating Sources

• Introduction
• Using the 4 Rs to evaluate sources
• Types of Web pages
• Talk About It
• Your Turn
• Tech Tool in this presentation
• Author Search

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Introduction
How is writing a research paper like being a
judge?
You have to judge each possible source of content
to see if it contains information that is good to
use in your paper.
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Introduction
As you research, you have many sources of
information to choose from, such as
newspaper and magazine articles
books
Web sites
video and audio clips
experts
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Introduction
You have to evaluate each source that you find to
see if you should use it in your work.
Can I trust this source?
This means reading and thinking carefully about

• how trustworthy your source is

• whether the source answers your research question

The 4 Rs can help you make smart choices that
will be useful for your work.
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Using the 4 Rs to evaluate sources
Relevant A source is relevant if it relates to
your narrow topic. It provides specific
information that answers your research question.
If your topic is about the first home computer,
which of these sources would be more relevant?
a book called Learning HTML Coding to Create
Webpages by Marc Smith
an interview with Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple
Computers
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Using the 4 Rs to evaluate sources

• Recent A source is recent if it contains the
  latest
• information about a topic. Even if you are
  researching an event from history, you still need
  the most current information available.

If you want to write about how new video games
are created, which would be a better source?
a Web page titled YOYO Games, Gamemaker 7.0
a newspaper article from 1999 on video-game design
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Using the 4 Rs to evaluate sources

• Representative A source is representative if it
• explains different viewpoints on a controversial
  topic. You never want to present only one side of
  an argument in your work.

Which of the following sources would be more
representative for a paper about endangered
species?
a study on current threats to animal species by
an international wildlife organization
an advertisement for a big-game hunting safari
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Using the 4 Rs to evaluate sources

• Reliable A source is reliable if it includes
  accurate
• and objective information. To find accurate
  information, look for well-respected publishers
  or authors who are experts in their field.

For information on acne treatments, which source
is likely to be more reliable?
a Web page created by a dermatologist, a doctor
who treats skin problems
a commercial for the newest product that claims
to prevent acne
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Tech Tool Author Search

• You might need to find out more information about
  the author of a Web site to know if he or she
  qualifies as an expert. There are several ways to
  do this.

Look on the Web site. Sometimes Web pages offer
more information about the author.
Look for headings or links such as About and Who
Am I? or click the Home button.
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Tech Tool Author Search

• If an e-mail link is provided on the Web site,
  another option is to send an e-mail to the author
  to ask for more information about his or her
  experience and education.

Be polite and explain to the author why you need
this information.
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Tech Tool Author Search

• Another way to find information about a Web
  pages author is to enter the authors name into
  a search engine, putting the name in quotation
  marks. This will help you determine how the
  author is viewed on other Web sites.

Examine the results you receive.
Does your search suggest that the Web page author
is a recognized expert on your topic?
Does your search make you think the Web page
author might be giving false information?
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Tech Tool Author Search

• Here is a funny example about the dangers of
  the chemical DHMO, also known as . . . water, or
  H2O.

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Tech Tool Author Search

• Here are the results of a Google search for Tom
  Way, the author of the DHMO Web site. Often you
  can form an opinion by studying the results
  carefully.

At first the author seems pretty reliable because
hes a professor. When I look more closely, I see
that hes a professor of computer science. I
realize that he is probably not the most reliable
source of information about chemicals.
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Types of Web pages

• One common way people find sources is by using
  the Internet.

Unfortunately, no one checks information for
accuracy before it is posted to the Internet.
When you are trying to decide whether a Web page
is reliable, it helps to know what type of page
you are viewing.
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Types of Web pages

• There are five basic types of Web pages

• personal home pages

• advocacy pages

• commercial pages

• informational pages

• news pages

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Types of Web pages

• Anyone can create a personal home page. They are
  used for many purposes, such as sharing family
  pictures or giving information about the authors
  favorite charity.

Youll usually be able to pick out a personal
home page by examining the URL (Web address).
If it contains a tilde (), a backslash (/), or
both, followed by a persons name, its usually a
personal home page.
http//www.noise.org/JSmith/home.htm
http//www.noise.org/JSmith/home.htm
http//www.osu.edu/jsmith/
http//www.osu.edu/jsmith/
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Types of Web pages
This personal home page focuses on a familys
pets and the interests of each family member.
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Types of Web pages

• Advocacy Web pages are posted by organizations.
  They want to give you information about the
  organizations beliefs and activities.

Keep in mind that some of the information on an
advocacy page might be biasedit might represent
only one viewpoint.
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Types of Web pages

• Commercial Web pages are created to sell
  products.

They use advertising techniques targeted at a
specific audience to persuade people to buy what
they are selling.
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Types of Web pages

• Informational Web pages are created to provide
  information for users.

Many informational sites are published by
universities or the government. Look for .edu or
.gov in the URL.
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Types of Web pages

• News Web pages are created to provide
  up-to-the-minute coverage of current events. They
  are provided by media sources such as newspapers,
  magazines,and television networks.

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Research TipReading carefully
You can find accurate and reliable information on
any of the five types of Web pages.
However, when you conduct research, you will
usually use informational and news Web pages.
Even these Web sites are not guaranteed to be
free from error or bias, though. Always read the
content carefully to make wise decisions.
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Research TipThe Internet

• The Internet is a good source of information. It
  contains more good information than false
  information.

However, you need to be cautious so you can
recognize when you are being misled.
If you read and think carefully, youll be able
to judge whether the information provided is
correct.
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Talk About It

• Look at the following Web site and use the
  presented information to discuss the questions
  provided.

1. What type of site do you think this is? What are
   some clues that make you think that?

1. Evaluate the information provided. Do you think
   this is reliable information? Why or why not?

1. This site was created by teachers for students to
   use. What lesson do you think they want their
   students to learn?

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Your Turn

• Say your research topic is Characteristics of
  Labrador Retrievers.

Read some of the information on the American
Kennel Club Web page.
Use the site to answer the questions on the
following slide. Think about whether this site is
a good source.
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Your Turn

• Is this site relevant? Does it provide specific
  information about your topic? Why or why not?
• Is this site reliable? Is it written by experts?
  How can you tell?

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Your Turn

• Is the site representative? Does it explain
  different viewpoints about your topic? Why do you
  think so?
• Is the information recent? How could you find out?

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Your Turn

• I think this site is/isnt relevant because
• I think this site is/isnt reliable because
• I think this site is/isnt representative
  because
• I think this site is/isnt recent because

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Your Turn Possible Responses

• I think this site is relevant because it is all
  about my topic, Labrador retrievers, and their
  characteristics.
• I think this site is reliable because it was
  created by the AKC. That is the organization that
  certifies purebred dogs.
• I think this site might not be representative.
  This organization is an advocate for people who
  breed purebred dogs.
• I cant tell if the site is recent. Theres no
  date in the information. I could explore the site
  further and look for more information.

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The End