Evaluating & Citing Sources
Don't believe everything you read!
WHAT IS INFORMATION LITERACY? The American Library Association defines information literacy as a set of abilities requiring individuals to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.
Information literacy involves these steps:
- Clarify your questions or research plan.
- Search for resources — such as databases, Web sites, print sources, and local experts.
- Evaluate the resources and think critically about them — Who made the message and why? Investigate.
- Express the information learned in meaningful way
- Cite the sources you have used.
HINT : The Library Commons can be especially helpful with # 2 and # 3. Visit the RESEARCH PAGE for reliable databases.
Citing Sources: Why and How
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Evaluating Websites
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Evaluating Sources Using T.R.A.A.P.
This is a system for seeing if the website is a good fit for you and your research. First off, make sure the site is comfortable for you to read.
This is a system for seeing if the website is a good fit for you and your research. First off, make sure the site is comfortable for you to read.
T stands for Timeliness
Is it current and up-to-date? When was it created?
R stands for Relevance
Does the information presented match you research needs ? Does it add new information or backup what you have ?
A stands for Accuracy
Is it true or correct ? Do they name sources? Does it match your other information?
A stands for Author
Who created the information ? (It can be a group of people.)Look for "About". Is the author an expert?
P stands for Purpose
What is the purpose of the website or page? To sell, persuade, inform or entertain ? Is there a bias you should know about ?
Source: Oregon School Libraries Information Systems https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y-1cpnIZxs&t=1s
Is it current and up-to-date? When was it created?
R stands for Relevance
Does the information presented match you research needs ? Does it add new information or backup what you have ?
A stands for Accuracy
Is it true or correct ? Do they name sources? Does it match your other information?
A stands for Author
Who created the information ? (It can be a group of people.)Look for "About". Is the author an expert?
P stands for Purpose
What is the purpose of the website or page? To sell, persuade, inform or entertain ? Is there a bias you should know about ?
Source: Oregon School Libraries Information Systems https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y-1cpnIZxs&t=1s
Evaluating Sources Using S.M.E.L.L.
The “SMELL” test won’t make you foolproof, but it can help you become a savvy information detective. Apply it to any content purporting to be factual from any source — face-to-face, to Facebook, to Fox, the New York Times, and online “to infinity and beyond.”
Introducing The SMELL Test:
S stands for Source.
Who is providing the information?
M is for Motivation.
Why are they telling me this?
E represents Evidence.
What evidence is provided for generalizations?
L is for Logic.
Do the facts logically compel the conclusions?
L is for Left out.
What’s missing that might change our interpretation of the information?
Source; http://mediashift.org/2013/02/dont-be-fooled-use-the-smell-test-to-separate-fact-from-fiction-online038/
S stands for Source.
Who is providing the information?
M is for Motivation.
Why are they telling me this?
E represents Evidence.
What evidence is provided for generalizations?
L is for Logic.
Do the facts logically compel the conclusions?
L is for Left out.
What’s missing that might change our interpretation of the information?
Source; http://mediashift.org/2013/02/dont-be-fooled-use-the-smell-test-to-separate-fact-from-fiction-online038/
More Resources :
CREDIT YOUR SOURCES : CITATIONS
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When must I cite my sources?
If you have borrowed ideas, words or phrases from someone else, you need to acknowledge that source. Include citations when:
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A citation tells readers that certain materials in your work came from another source. A citation also credits the original author and gives readers a way to locate the original source. A list of citations is called a bibliography, or Works Cited page.
Why must I cite?
When researching, we seek information from experts to learn information that we did not already know or that support our own ideas. As we embed this newly gained info into our work, we cite where the ideas came from if not our own.
Does citing mean I did less work?
Not at all!
A citation shows our teachers and peers that WE have done our research by finding sources that support our ideas. A citation may also reveal how we can improve our research if in fact a source wasn't the most reliable or up-to-date.
Adapted from Plagiarism.com. Visit to learn more about citation creation and bibliographies.