Assessing Sources
The three categories of assessing sources
Credibility, Accessibility & Interest Level, Relevance & Richness
Specific Inquiry Question: What was the role of religion in colonialism?
history of religion and colonialism
Publisher: A Catholic Church website
Text: An opinion blog by a priest on a church website.
Date: 2016
Author: A guest writer and leader in the church. (PhD in Theology)
Research Topic: effects of religion and colonialism
No!
Problems: Publisher has a large economic and political stake in the topic area. The author's personal relationship to the topic area is too closely related. An opinion piece, in this context, is not a reliable source.
True or False: Mr. Vela's has a cat named Steve. Steve's legal middle name is "Robocop."
True!
A question you should ask yourself regarding the source's accessibility to YOU as a reader.
Am I able to read and comprehend the text easily?
How do the text's structure and formatting either help or hinder me in reading it?
Do I have adequate background knowledge to understand the terminology, information and ideas in the text?
Specific Inquiry Question: How is wealth distributed throughout the world?
wealth distribution world statistics
Publisher: Science.org
Text: News article about research exploring immunity effects of European diseases in Native Americans
Date: 2016
Author: Science writer for science.org (MA in Science Journalism)
Research Topic: Health effects of colonialism
Yes! The source is from a peer-reviewed site that publishes news and their own research.
Above and beyond: Cite the actual study referenced in the article.
"Crowd Surfing"
The category that shows how extensive and supported is the information the text provides.
Scope and Richness
Specific Inquiry Question: Why do people need to invent things?
Publisher: CNN.com
Text: Article about Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter
Date: 2022
Author: CNN Online Writer (MS in Political Science)
Research Topic: Innovation is the mother of necessity.
No!
The article is not apparently relevant to the research in the context of the topic.
A text is VERY interesting to you as a reader but it has little to do with your topic. Should you use it?
No
Specific Inquiry Question: How did trade routes develop throughout history?
trade route development history innovation
Publisher:University of Las Vegas
Text: A peer review of a research conducted about wealth gaps for Native populations
Date:2019
Author: Researcher from University of Las Vegas (PhD in Anthropology)
Research Topic: History of wealth inequality
Yes!
The source an academic review of another study that was conducted using critical research methods. These articles prove or disprove credibility of the original study.
A bicycle.
assess
Specific Inquiry Question: What geographical features affect technological innovation?
technology innovation geological features causes
Publisher:The Lancet Global Health (Medical Journal)
Text: A research paper about access to water in low-income countries
Date:2020
Author: Deshpande et al (Ph.D.)
STEM Student's Research Topic: Geographical access to technology
No!
Even though this is an academic review of many research projects, the topic is not relevant to the student's research topic.
Your favorite teachers at STEM HS
Mr. Vela, Ms. Branco, Mr. Brookshire