90 likes | 216 Vues
Evaluating the credibility of sources is crucial for academic success and presenting accurate information. The C.A.R.D. method—Content, Author, Reliability, Design—offers a systematic approach to assess sources effectively. Important inquiries include the accuracy and currency of content, the qualifications of the author, potential biases, and the overall design quality of the site. By applying these criteria, you can identify reliable sources and avoid misinformation, ultimately enhancing the quality of your work.
E N D
How Do I Know What to Use? • When using any source material, it is important to evaluate the credibility of the source before using it or citing it. Faulty sources can adversely affect a school grade or just make you look stupid. • While it is important to evaluate everything, websites and other internet sources warrant particular scrutiny.
C.A.R.D. • One system for evaluating a source is C.A.R.D. (adapted from Ann B. Perham http://www2.needham.k12.ma.us/nhs/nhs_media/NHSLibrary/stulinks/CARD.html) Content Author Reliability Design
Content • Some important questions to ask about a source’s content include: Is the information accurate? Is it current/new? Is the approach shallow or scholarly? Do you still need more info? Is this the best source for this info?
Author • Some important questions to ask about a source’s author include: Who is the author? What are his/her credentials? Is he/she an expert? Is a bibliography/source list given? Who links to it?
Reliability • Some important questions you should ask about a source’s reliability include: Is it biased? Does it present all sides of an argument? Is information presented as fact or opinion? What is its purpose? What is its domain name?
Design • Some important questions to ask about the source’s design include: Do the links work? Is the site more focused on content or looks? Are there errors in grammar, spelling, or syntax? Is the design consistent throughout?
Conclusion • Any source or site that meets most or all of these criteria should is probably reliable and useful. • Be wary of sites for which these questions cannot be readily answered.
Let’s Try It. • Now that you know how to evaluate sources, let’s try it together. • Sample Source #1 • Sample Source #2