Writing 10 (Fenstermaker)

Credibility can help you decide whether or not to trust an information source. 

You may want to consider the following as you evaluate a source:

Scope

• Does the source provide a general overview of the topic?
• Does the source focus on only one aspect of the topic?

Audience

• Who is the source written for? University scholars, general public, high school students?
• Is the material technical or clinical? What type of information do you need?

Currency

• When was the source published?
• If the source is a website, when was it last updated?
• Do you need the most current information on your subject, or are older publications acceptable?

When evaluating websites, you may want to keep the following in mind:

• Is there an author listed for the site?
• Is the sites sponsored by a group or organization with a specific point of view?
• Is the site trying to sell you something?
• Is the site up to date?
• Are the links credible and authentic?

• See UC Berkeley's Evaluating Web Pages site for more information on critical analysis of websites.

Questions:

1. What is the primary problem with bias? 
2. What other terms can you use to explain unbiased?
3. What strategies are suggested for detecting bias?