Transcript How to Evaluate Resources for an Annotated Works Cited

How to…
Critically Evaluate
Information Resources!
Today’s Learning Goals…
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By the end of the period, I will have:
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created a properly formatted Annotated
Works Cited with three different types of
resources
written a critical annotation for one of the
three sources
provided Ms. Martin with my topic and a
list of the searches I’ve tried
Remember…
Not every source
of information is
a GOOD source
of information!
Key Evaluation Criteria…
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Authority
Objectivity vs. Bias
Purpose
Currency
Scope/Coverage
Accuracy
Structure/Format
Authority
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Who wrote or created the resource?
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Is the author reliable?
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What education/credentials/
experience do they have?
Are they experts in their field?
Objectivity vs. Bias
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Did an individual or organization
sponsor the creation of the resource?
Does this sponsor influence the
views presented?
Does the resource include a variety
of viewpoints?
What are the author’s assumptions?
If the resource is biased, are these
biases clearly stated?
Purpose
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Why was the resource created?
Is the book or Web site intended to
inform or persuade?
Who is the intended audience?
Does the purpose of the resource
match your research needs?
Currency
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When was the book or article
published?
When was the Web site created or
last updated?
Is the resource current enough to be
relevant to your topic?
Scope/Coverage
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How thoroughly does the resource
cover your topic?
Is the information too detailed?
Not detailed enough?
Does the resource provide
additional resources or Web links?
Are these links relevant and
appropriate?
Accuracy
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What is the source of the
information presented?
Are the sources of factual
information clearly listed so they
can be verified or are they only the
author’s opinions?
Do the facts match those from other
similar sources you’ve found?
Structure/Format
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How is the material organized?
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Is it presented clearly?
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Is it visually appealing?
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Is it easy to find what you’re looking
for in the resource?
Is there a detailed index?
Structure/Format cont’d…
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Is the content divided into
logical parts?
Are there clear headings and
subheadings?
Are there sidebars with additional,
useful facts?
Structure/Format…
for Web sites
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Is it clear and easy to navigate?
Are there links to help you travel
around the site?
Is the site stable
(will it be there later)?
How to approach this
assignment…
1. Find a source.
2. Create a citation – use the Citation
Maker (on your assignments page!)
3. Find your next source…remember,
you need 3 different kinds of sources!
4. Choose either the web site or print
resource and make notes on at least 3
of the evaluation criteria (also linked
on your assignment page).
Success Criteria
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List of searches you tried? Difficulties?
Alphabetical order?
Hanging indents?
3 types of resources?
3 criteria for ONE resource?
Link to YOUR project?
sample annotated works cited…
Questions…?