C (Currency)
Would an article made in 2020 be current for the COVID-19 pandemic?
What is "Yes"
Would it be reasonable to use a journal entry from 1865 to explain events during the Civil War?
What is "Yes" because these provide historical contexts.
What can help establish the accuracy of a researcher’s framework and hypotheses?
What is “Peer reviews?”
Would it be wiser to find scholarly sources to use in an engineering paper from an engineer or a police officer within your research?
What is "An engineer?"
When reviewing a source that aims to promote a specific product, a student must consider this potential bias. What aspect of purpose does this illustrate?
What is “Intention to persuade?”
Would research conducted in 2014 be considered up-to-date for understanding climate change trends in 2024?
What is "No"
Is a 2022 article on AI algorithms directly relevant to recent breakthroughs in machine learning?
What is "It is acceptable, but technology has been advancing at a rapid pace, so pulling the most up-to- date sources would be ideal."
Can sample size affect the accuracy of a study's findings?
What is "Yes?" There could be possibilities of generalizations and variability of the entire population.
A source funded by a pharmaceutical company reports positive outcomes of a new drug. Does the pharmaceutical company have authority to write a scholarly source about the new drug?
What is "Yes?"
A student finds a journal article that presents both sides of a controversial issue. What purpose does this indicate about the source?
What is “Intention to inform and provide a balanced perspective?”
During a research project, a student discovers that a frequently cited source contains outdated statistics that have since been updated. Should the student still use this source?
What is "No"
If researching quality healthcare, would it be beneficial to research income inequality's effect on access to healthcare?
What is "Yes?" Understanding how income disparities influence access can provide valuable insights into the systemic barriers that prevent certain populations from receiving quality care.
Scenario: While collecting data for a research project on environmental practices, a student inadvertently selects participants from a specific region that doesn’t represent the broader population. What problem would this cause?
What is "Sampling bias?" Since the student selected participants from a specific region that does not represent the broader population, the findings of the research may not accurately reflect the entire population regarding environmental practices.
A student is researching the effects of dietary supplements on athletic performance and finds an article written by a fitness blogger with no formal training in nutrition or sports science. Should the student use this article?
What is "No because the author’s lack of formal training in nutrition or sports science can cause the information in the source to be inaccurate."
A social media influencer posts a series of videos highlighting the negative effects of fast fashion on the environment. What message is the influencer trying to get across to the audience?
What is “The influencer encourages viewers to make more sustainable clothing choices by showcasing the impacts of consumer habits?”
In evaluating the currency of a website, one should look for this type of information to determine if it is current.
What is "The last updated date?"
Is a 2023 report on renewable energy sources suitable for a study focused on solar power?
What is "Yes?" Since the report is recent, it is likely to include the latest data, trends, and advancements in renewable energy, including solar technology.
A student finds two articles that provide conflicting information about the effects of a specific diet. What should the student look for in the sources to determine accuracy?
What is “Verify that the source is peer-reviewed and the authors has credentials to write about said topic?”
In a study on educational interventions, a student comes across a magazine article written by an educator who is not known for research in this field. The source has not been peer-reviewed. Should the student use the magazine article as a source?
What is "No because the author has a limited background in this field of research, which wouldn't be authoritative for an academic paper." Also, most scholarly papers are peer-reviewed.
A source provides a comprehensive overview of an issue but is written by an activist group. What should the student consider about the purpose when evaluating the credibility of the information?
What is “The potential for advocacy bias that may affect the presentation of data?”
What would be a good time gap between now and when the article was written?
What is "10 years" (also depends on what you're researching
Would a 2020 study on vaccine development be applicable for understanding recent vaccine strategies?
What is "The study can provide valuable insight into vaccine development. However, it's important to consider the pace of advancements in vaccine technology."
Would a source made in 2010 about smartphone usage be accurate to determine the impact of social media on youth?
What is “No because there are rapid technology changes and cultural shifts over the years. For example, new platforms such as Tiktok, one of the main social media platforms for teenagers today, was not created in 2010.”
Why is the peer review process so important to the authority of a source?
The peer review process adds credibility and authority to the study, as it ensures that the research has been evaluated and validated by other experts in the field.
VALIDITY!!
A study on economic inequality is published in a journal with a reputation for publishing controversial theories. The study’s aim is to challenge established economic paradigms rather than provide a balanced review. What should the student consider about the study's purpose when assessing its credibility?
What is "The study’s purpose to challenge established theories might introduce bias or speculative arguments, which require careful analysis of the source to ensure credibility."