Media Literacy Research Project

Essential Question What is credibility and how does one determine credibility of a source?

Research What sources are available to provide information for research topics? Internet Books Interviews Videos/TV programs Journals/Magazines (online or print) Newspapers (online or print)

Research What are the sources you are most likely to use for your research? Online sources

How do you know if your sources are “trustworthy”? The term used to describe “trustworthy” research sources is… CREDIBILITY

Credibility Who can you trust?

Six Criteria for Evaluating Websites Authority Currency Accuracy Scope Objectivity Documentation

Authority Who is responsible for the content? What are the author’s qualifications? Can you identify a parent organization or sponsor? What are the qualifications of the parent organization or sponsor?

Currency When was the page written? When was the page published? Was the page recently revised?

Accuracy Is the information recent where appropriate? Is the information detailed and comprehensive? Are sources listed for presented information? Are there links to reputable outside sources? Are there grammatical errors in the content?

Scope Is it an overview or is it specific information? Is it too specific for your information needs? Is it too general for your information needs? Do you need more detail? Is there an intended audience?

Objectivity How much bias is evident in the content? Does the content seem fair, balanced, and reasonable? Are there any conflicts of interest? Are they trying to sell you something?

Documentation Are there citations? If it is a web site, does it link to other reputable sites? It if is a web site, who links to the site that you are evaluating? Are there graphs, tables, or illustrations to support the text?

Other ideas to consider… Check the domain name Look for “information” for source citation The less information you can gather from the site, the less probable it is credible Look at the “formatting” of the site If it is difficult to navigate or has a lot of dead links, it might not be as credible

Example “Burmese” Mountain Dog Legitimate Site Mankato, MN

Resources to Consider BHS Media Center Data Bases SIRS PROQUEST Opposing Viewpoints INFOTRAC Why are these data bases good options for research?

Resources to Consider Reputable magazines, newspapers, or news sites Newsweek Time New York Times The Economist Star Tribune Pioneer Press CNN Etc…

Resources to Consider Center for Media Literacy PBS Documentaries Frontline Interview a professional

Resources NOT to Consider Wikipedia Why? Yahoo answers, about.com, similar sites. Doing a general Google search

Suggestions for Researching Print off sources—you will need to hand in the six sources you use for your annotated bibliography Buy paper in ITC Bring paper from home Save and print at home

Suggestions for Researching Print off articles as you find them For homework each night Actively read Highlight Underline Notations in the margins Writing in the Margins reading strategy Take notes/collect information for research and annotated bibliography Make sure to collect information for citations Many data bases have “buttons” to click which will generate citation Create citations in a timely manner

Bibliography—Assignment #2 Purpose: To create a list of possible sources to use as support in the research paper. Bibliography=All the sources considered Works Cited=Only the sources used in the paper.

Bibliography—Assignment #2 Suggestion: Create citations for each sources as you go. Reasoning: Then you will have a the list created and will only need to check formatting. IT WILL SAVE YOU TIME!

Bibliography—Assignment #2 Save your bibliography because you will be able to use the citations for your Annotated Bibliography—Assignment #4