Evaluating Sources

1. Please download, open, and/or print the Identifying Reliable Sources handout. It outlines the the review of the types of sources and contains the questions for the activity.

2. Review the handout. For help, I have listed the following resources below:

   a) Link: "Critically Analyzing Information Sources, Cornell University"

   b) Link: "Evaluating Internet Research Sources, VirtualSalt"

   c) Video: "Advanced Research - Sources, iLearningServices"

   d) Video: "Evaluating Research Sources, Virginia International University"

3. At the bottom of the handout are your next instructions.

"For the following sources, determine whether each source is reliable. Mark either Yes or No on the line provided. The topic is a poet, Langston Hughes. Using the Internet and library resources, ask yourself �Does this site contain information I can use to write about Langston Hughes?� and �Is this information reliable?�"

4. Look over your lists and finalize your answers.

   Questions to keep in mind: 

   "What makes seemingly reliable sources unreliable?"

   "Was the list difficult?"

   "What problems did you run into?"

5. All of these examples came from the Langston Hughes Wikipedia page (resource number 6). You can find most of these sources on the Wikipedia page under "References" or "External Links." Wikipedia is helpful because it lists possible sources that may otherwise be hard to find. Do you see any other helpful links or sources?

6. Next, download, open, and/or print off the Source List graphic organizer provided below. Your task is to choose a topic and conduct an Internet search using Google first to list 5 possible sources.

7. Review your list again. It may be helpful to trade worksheets with someone else and have them review your choices.

8. Next, search through Wikipedia to add at least 3 more reliable sources to your list. Remember, Wikipedia is not a source itself. It is a useful tool that helps us find possible sources.

9. Page 2 of the graphic organizer asks you to briefly explain why each of these sources is reliable. Using notes or referring back to the resources listed in Step 2, you should have no problems listing at least a few reasons for each source.