1. Finding Reliable Sources

2. Primary Sources Primary sources are works created
at the time of an event, or
by a person who directly experienced an event

3. Primary Sources Primary sources can include
Interviews, diaries, letters, journals, speeches, autobiographies, and witness statements
Articles containing original research, data, or findings never before shared
Original, hand-written manuscripts
Government documents and public records
Art, photographs, films, maps, fiction, and music
Newspaper and magazine clippings
Artifacts, buildings, furniture, and clothing

4. Secondary Sources Secondary sources are works that
are one step removed from the original event or experience
provide criticism or interpretation of a primary source

5. Secondary Sources Secondary sources can include Textbooks
Review articles and critical analysis essays
Biographies
Historical films, music, and art
Articles about people and events from the past

6. Credibility of Sources Graphic Representation
Event
Primary Source
Secondary Source
You

7. Online Sources: 5 Things to Look For
1) Accountability –
Anyone can create a website.
Who wrote or created the page?
Is the person qualified to write the document?
Is a contact or address provided?
ANONYMOUS sources should not be used. Find another source!

8. 1. Accountability
Consider the domain identified by the last three letters of the website’s URL: .com or .net commercial sites – may have hidden agendas for items posted on their websites. .org non-profit groups – look for sponsors who support these groups. Are there hidden agendas here? .edu educational institutions – accountable to academic integrity. .gov government agencies – accountable to legal and public parties.

9. 2. Accuracy
Look for possible hyperlinks to the original or primary source for the information posted in the website.
Look for errors in a website. If the grammar and mechanics of the website are incorrect, then the content of the information may also have errors.

10. 3. Objectivity Is the author biased?
Is there a balance of credible facts and information?

11. 4. Currency Factual data needs to have a recent date.
If the website does not include the date the site was created or when the website was last updated, then avoid using the content of the site.
NOTE: If a website has dead links or fails to indicate a recent update, then the website may not be current.

12. 5. Usability Is the website easy to use?
Can other people find what you found when you entered the website?
Note: If the people managing the website do not care about maintaining their site, they probably do not care enough to research information on topics they write about nor will they probably keep their information up to date.

13. Practice
Tanning -
Migratory Bird Conservation Commission -
Daft Punk -

14. Group Work
Group yourselves into groups of four to determine if the provided website printouts are credible sources. Use the information you obtained today from the PowerPoint presentation. This is due before the end of class!