Why Evaluate?
Credibility
Accuracy
Scope
Grab Bag
100

Is everything we read on the internet true?

No!

100

What important person should you look for when considering an online source?

The author

100

What does it mean to check the "currency" of a website?

Check the date it was published

100

Why should we be wary of wikis like Wikipedia and others?

They can be edited by anyone and may not always be accurate.

100

What is a primary source? 

direct evidence or first-hand accounts of events

200

Should we continue to use a website if we have decided it is not a trustworthy site?

No!

200

What does "peer-reviewed" mean?

The work has been submitted for review by multiple experts in the field of study.

200

Where is a good place online to find scholarly and peer-reviewed journal articles?

Library Databases

200

What is a better purpose for creating the source when doing research - to educate or sell a product?

To educate

200

What is a secondary source?

information that was created after an event by someone who did not experience the event themselves

300

Name one method or acronym to help remember a way to evaluate resources and explain each letter. 

CARS - Credibility, Accuracy, Reasonableness, Support

300

What do an author's credentials mean?

Their degree(s) or qualifications that make them an expert on the subject

300

Why are references important in an online source?

References to other works tell us that other professionals and experts have verified the information is true. 

300

Should your online source contain more facts or more opinions?

More facts

300

What are footnotes and bibliographies?

References to other works by authors and experts in the field to help verify information is true and accurate
400

Why might someone be motivated to post information online that isn't true?

Many reasons - they may be financially sponsored to do so, they may ignorant of the actual facts, they may just be positing an opinion

400

What does "scholarly" mean?

The work has been written by an expert in the field who is usually associated with an academic institution (like a university). 

400

Why is it important to have an up-to-date or more recent publishing date?

This means the information is more likely to be accurate and true. 

400

Why should a source be on a completed website that is easy to navigate and likely to stay online for a longer period of time?

This tells us it was more likely to have been created by a professional and the information is more likely to be true and reliable. 

400

What does the sponsorship of the website tell us?

The organization who uploaded the information may or may not be biased. 

500

Why must we always evaluate online sources when doing research?

Not everything we read is true and we want our projects to be as accurate and informative as possible!

500

Why should we question an author or source?

Anyone can publish information online; learning about the author tells us if we can trust the information or not. 

500

Why should a page be free of advertising?

Advertising means the author or website may have been paid to create or upload the information, which means it may be less accurate. 

500

Why should we question the purpose and audience of a source?

Sources should distinguish between facts and opinions and be at the appropriate level for your research. 

500

How should a reliable source be designed and appear online? 

It should be professional looking, visually pleasing, with correct grammar and spelling

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