Starting the Research Project W5a Gathering Research W5b Assessing Credibility

The Target W5a: Gathering Research 4 I can gather the most relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively. 3 I can gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively. 2 I can gather information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively. 1 I can gather limited information (few sources, limited types of information).

Tips Don’t settle for sources with no relevant information! Try multiple search terms: Teaching Education Educator Teacher preparation Teacher

The Target W5b: Assessing Credibility 4 I can most effectively assess the credibility and accuracy of each source and assess the strengths and limitations of each source in terms of the task, purpose, and audience. 3 I can assess the credibility and accuracy of each source and assess the strengths and limitations of each source in terms of the task, purpose, and audience. 2 I can assess the credibility and accuracy of each source and assess the strengths and limitations of each source in terms of the task, purpose, and audience with inconsistencies. 1 I can assess credibility but do not use it to inform my work.

What type of site is it? A website that ends with .edu is likely from an educational institution. An ending of .gov means it is from a government source and should be fairly objective information. The .org ending usually means a non-profit group, meaning that information may be accurate but not objective.

Who wrote it? Is there an author or organization clearly indicated? What can you find out about the author? Can you contact the author? If the site is sponsored by an organization, what can you find out about it?

How accurate is the information? Can you tell where the author or organization got its information? Can you tell how well researched the information is? Is there a bibliography that you might use to find more information? Does the site have any credentials?

What is the goal of the site? Does the site aim to provide information? Advertise? Persuade? Are the goals of the site clearly stated? Who is the intended audience? Is there a lot of flash and bling on the site that may be hiding a lack of real information?

How did you find the site? Did you find it in a search from an educational search engine? Did you find it in a Yahoo or Google search?

For more information… If you are having a hard time figuring out whether or not a site is okay to use, check out: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/EvalSrcW/index.html