Sources

Overview of different types of sources (8 min) Columbine school shooting (as mentioned in the above clip)

Where should I go to find info? Google and other search engines are not sources – they are just an index. The information is held on other sites.

Where should I go? For an overview –Encyclopaedias –Encyclopaedia websites (Wikipedia, Te Ara)‏ For specific details –Books –Newspaper articles –Specialised websites –Relevant people/ organisations/ companies For opinions –Things written by eyewitnesses –Newspaper editorials –Blogs

Can't we just trust everything? You need to make sure your sources are reliable – can you trust the information they have? –Would you always trust a used car salesman? A blog? A politician? (Your teacher!?)

Wikipedia article changing This short clip shows in fast-motion how a Wikipedia page (for the Virginia Tech shooting) changes as a range of people edit it. Can all the people editing this page be relied upon to know what they are talking about? Or to be honest?? –It’s not a matter of “trust no-one” but it IS a matter of taking care to find out whether sources and their creators are reliable.

Opinion Opinion = what you think about something Bias = only giving one side of the story If we want facts then bias/opinion isn’t useful (it’s not reliable) But sometimes we want to find out what people think - then bias is useful as it gives someone’s view on an issue. Sometimes it’s not easy to spot bias - ask yourself: ‘Is this article giving both sides of the story? Is it being fair to both sides?’

Fact or Opinion? 1. The economy is in a terrible state 2. The economy dropped 6% today 3. The policeman chased the criminal 4. The man looked guilty 5. My mother was angry

Overview of Evaluating Websites n6e4&feature=relatedhttp:// n6e4&feature=related n6e4&feature=related mThuls&feature=relatedhttp:// mThuls&feature=related mThuls&feature=related VOig0&feature=relatedhttp:// VOig0&feature=related VOig0&feature=related

Check the purpose Why was the website/book/article written? –To inform people in an unbiased way? –To persuade you to think a certain way? Opinionated sources are not necessarily bad, as long as the evidence is true.

Check the Author See if there is an author listed Are they qualified? –Do a search to find out about them If there is no author listed then check out: –The organisation that put out the info – do they have a good reputation? –Whether the info has been checked before it was published This is the advantage most books have over the internet

Check the Evidence and References Does the author give facts to back up what they say? Can you see where the author found their info? –Footnotes –Bibliography When was the information last updated? Is the information backed up by your other sources?

In Wikipedia, click on this

And these

If you’re still unsure, check the discussions too

These references will often give you the source of information that the author used. They can be checked for reliability, too!

This means you can’t tell where the author of the article found their info. Be careful!!

2 sides to every story It was a terrible game! It was a great game!

Sources may have different opinions about events but the basic facts should be the same Some sources may use different facts to support their arguments – that's why you need to use more than one source If a source is unreliable, find another!

Source Checks - PEAR PURPOSE – Why was the text made? To inform or make you think a certain way? EVIDENCE – Does the author give examples to back up their argument? AUTHOR – Who wrote it? What are their qualifications? REFERENCES – Does it say where they found their info?