Unit 6 Lesson 4: Sources Flashcards
sources
texts or digital resources from which information is obtained
It’s essential that a writer use multiple sources in putting together a research project. That’s true even if the writer can find a single source that addresses the entire research question. Writers should avoid choosing only one source for three main reasons:
- First, if that source contains an error, the error will be repeated in the research paper the writer produces. By choosing two or preferably more sources, the chance of introducing an error is lessened.
- Second, the use of multiple sources indicates that the writer has worked hard to understand the topic from all angles. Readers might be unhappy to discover that just one source has been used. They might worry that the writer didn’t look very hard to find information—and they would probably be right!
- Third, readers could wonder why they should read the research paper when they could just read the source that the paper is based on.
Unfortunately, not all examples of digital media are equally useful. Suppose that Ranger is writing a research report on tigers. He has chosen as his research question What are the main dangers tigers face from human activity? Here are some examples of digital sources that Ranger should consider using:
- websites with addresses ending in .edu or .gov
- materials associated with well-known magazines or newspapers
- materials with recent creation dates
- websites that are well designed and that have no spelling or grammatical errors
- well-known commercial encyclopedia websites
In contrast, here are some examples of digital media Ranger should probably avoid:
websites with addresses ending in .com, .net, or .biz
blogs and other personal websites
information that is out of date
websites that look sloppy and include multiple spelling and grammar mistakes
social media platforms and wiki websites where anyone can post and edit content
credibility
the quality of being trustworthy and believable
bias
prejudice in favor of or against one thing compared to another, usually in an unfair way
reliable source
a source that provides credible information based on strong evidence
There are some red flags writers can look for to identify potentially problematic sources. Anonymity:
In fields like journalism or science, a reputation for putting out false information can ruin a career. An anonymous author doesn’t have to worry about this. They can write things they haven’t properly checked or can even flat-out lie without worrying about their reputation.
There are some red flags writers can look for to identify potentially problematic sources. No Expertise:
A person doesn’t normally go to a doctor for a malfunctioning car or to a mechanic for a broken leg. Be wary of fake experts, especially when researching a technical subject. If someone is making a claim that is contrary to what is claimed by the majority of people who have studied or worked in the field, most likely that person has gotten something wrong or has incomplete knowledge.
There are some red flags writers can look for to identify potentially problematic sources. Fringe Ideas:
While an expert’s claim is usually more trustworthy than a non-expert’s, there are plenty of people with fringe ideas. They may be seeking fame, be supporting a political or religious belief, or be funded by people with a bias; whatever the reason, quacks and dishonest actors can mislead people. The consensus of experts should almost always carry more weight than a single expert.
There are some red flags writers can look for to identify potentially problematic sources. No Sources or Bad Sources:
A source should be open about where they got their information. A writer wants to make sure they aren’t citing someone who is making up the numbers or taking the word of untrustworthy people. Always check to see if a source is providing citations to reliable sources.
There are some red flags writers can look for to identify potentially problematic sources. Omissions or Incomplete Facts:
A credible source uses facts to support its claims, but it also acknowledges important facts that might limit, qualify, or even conflict with those claims. It convinces the reader by putting these facts in context, not by leaving out crucial details that may bias or mislead the reader. Be wary of sources that seem to “cherry-pick” data from just one place, time, or setting while ignoring the bigger picture. If all the facts seem to conveniently support a simplistic or extreme view, it is worth asking whether the source really provides all the relevant facts.
There are some red flags writers can look for to identify potentially problematic sources. Biased Language:
If a source appears to be pushing a particular viewpoint, they may not be reliable. This could include using words and arguments that are based on emotion rather than reason or evidence, or neglecting to examine any contrary viewpoints. This could indicate a purpose for writing beyond simply providing information.
There are some red flags writers can look for to identify potentially problematic sources. Inaccuracies
Various kinds of inaccuracies can indicate an unreliable source. Everyone makes typos, but if a source has a lot of misspelled words or grammar errors, it suggests the writer might not have checked their work well; they may have been lax in fact checking also. It’s important to check if they’re accurate when it comes to their sources. Make sure they aren’t drawing incorrect conclusions. Another red flag is whether the writer is using precise or vague language. Do they say “many people” or do they give a specific number? Check when the source was written as well. A writer may say something that was accurate at the time, but has become out of date over the years. In general, the more recent a source is, the better.
citation
a reference to a source used to inform a piece of writing
plagiarism
the act of taking words or ideas from a source and passing them off as one’s own
Citations usually contain the following, but not always in this order:
- author’s name
- source title
- name of the editor, compiler, or translator (if they appear on the title page)
- edition (if not the first)
- volume (if part of a multivolume work)
- series title (if applicable)
- publication information
- page numbers (if citing only a section)
- URL (if online)
Websites, internet-only articles, audiobooks, podcasts, and online photographs are considered
digital sources
Videos, interactive timelines, infographics, and other interactive media are examples of
multimedia
