Selecting Appropriate Sources – Print and Online

Common Core Standards 4th Grade CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.1 Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.7 Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears. 5th Grade CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.1 Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.7 Draw on information from multiple print or digital sources, demonstrating the ability to locate an answer to a question quickly or to solve a problem efficiently. 6th Grade CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.1 Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.7 Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue.

What are sources? Sources are how and where you get information We use different sources all the time. Internet Books Maps Interviews Newspapers Magazines Pictures / Images Videos

How do you know which source to use? Which source will give you the BEST answer to your question? Think about which source is RELIABLE. Think about which source is ACCURATE. Think about the author of the source – where did they get their information?

Let’s practice Sarah is writing a report on Mayan art. Which source will give her the most reliable information about the topic? A.) A blog of a Mayan art enthusiast B.) A magazine article about a Mayan art collector C.) a nonfiction book about Mayan art and artists D.) a museum advertisement for a Mayan art collection

Why? Sarah is writing a report on Mayan art. Which source will give her the most reliable information about the topic? A.) A blog of a Mayan art enthusiast (a blog may not be reliable – how do we know who this person is and what they know?) B.) A magazine article about a Mayan art collector (this about a collector, not about Mayan art) C.) a nonfiction book about Mayan art and artists (this is the best choice – a book is a reliable source – why?) D.) a museum advertisement for a Mayan art collection (this will not help us with our report unless we actually go to the museum to see the art)

Let’s Practice Joey is doing research on Alexander Graham Bell. Which source will give him the best information about the topic? A). A website on how to be an inventor B). A documentary about modern inventors C). A collection of biographies on inventors D). An interview with an inventor

Why? Joey is doing research on Alexander Graham Bell. Which source will give him the best information about the topic? A). A website on how to be an inventor (this is about HOW to be an inventor, not the inventor we need to learn about) B). A documentary about modern inventors (this would be Ok if they talk about AGB but we need to know where they got their information) C). A collection of biographies on inventors (this is the BEST choice – you can easily read about AGB and be able to cite the source) D). An interview with an inventor (unless this inventor KNEW AGB, it probably will not help you!)

Let’s Practice Which source would provide the best information on the history of trains? A). A nonfiction book called The Early Days of Trains in America B). A magazine titled Trains Today C). An online encyclopedia article about the train system used in India D). A newspaper article about a 10 year boy and his train collection

Why? Which source would provide the best information on the history of trains? A). A nonfiction book called The Early Days of Trains (this is the best because we know it has been verified and it gives us the history) B). A magazine titled Trains Today (the title says “today” which may not tell us the history of trains) C). An online encyclopedia article about the train system used in India (this doesn’t say anything about the history of trains and we don’t know who the author is) D). A newspaper article about a 10 year boy and his train collection (this is about a train collection, not the history of trains)

How can we tell if an internet source is reliable? Anyone can publish on the Internet, so not all sites are equally trustworthy. You need to carefully evaluate the sites you use for research, and then decide which ones you can trust. No one is fact checking the Internet!

Example: Pictures from Hurricane Sandy

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (“AMAZING PHOTO: Even a hurricane won’t keep the honor guard from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier this morning.”)

Did those soldiers really stand there during Hurricane Sandy? NO! This picture was taken during a September storm, not during Hurricane Sandy http://www.idigitaltimes.com/articles/12338/20121029/tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier-hurricane-sandy-viral-photo-fake.htm This picture was shared all across the internet and was published by NPR and the Washington Post. How can this kind of mistake happen online?

Are online sources ever OK? While there are generally fewer rules about what can and can’t be published on the Internet, there are a growing number of sites that have high standards for publishing information. Therefore, though it is important to use a critical eye when looking at websites, you shouldn’t automatically assume that online information is incorrect or of lesser quality than information in books or newspapers.

Evaluating websites It’s important to know how to evaluate information online to make sure that it’s trustworthy. You are going to learn some criteria for evaluating high-quality websites.

How to evaluate websites: Can you tell if the site is fact or opinion? (If the information seems one-sided, or biased, you will have to go elsewhere to hear the other side of the issue.) Is the site free of advertising? If there are ads, is it easy to tell the difference between ads and content? Is it clear who the site is for? (for example, college students or young children) Is the site’s domain .com, .edu, .net, .org, or .gov? Is the author identified by name? Is the author’s biography provided, and does he/she have credentials related to the subject of the site? Can the author be contacted if you have questions? (by email, street address, or phone number) Is the site free of spelling, typographical, and grammatical errors? Can you find the date the article, page, or site was created?