This document discusses how to evaluate the credibility of information sources. It outlines several principles for verifying sources, including verification, objectivity, and transparency. When evaluating sources, one should consider the purpose, accuracy, authority, relevance, and currency of the information using the PAARC method. Wikipedia can contain biases and errors, so it's best to cite sources it links to rather than Wikipedia itself. The document also discusses types of websites based on their top-level domains and warns about misinformation and predatory sources. It emphasizes scrutinizing sources, corroborating information, and properly acknowledging sources to avoid plagiarism.

1. CREDIBLE SOURCES OF
INFORMATION
Mark Joshua D. Roxas, MAEd, LPT
Co-Curricular Activities Coordinator, Senior High School
Assistant Professor IV, College of Arts, Sciences, and Education

2. Where do you usually get the information
about the things that you are curious
about?

5. Then, you may be a victim of Information
Disorders.
Misinformation
Disinformation
Malinformation

7. In Journalism, there are 10 principles that must
be observed…
• Verification
• Objectivity
• Originality
• Completeness
• Transparency
• Fairness
• Restraint
• Humanity
• Accountability
• Empowerment

8. In Verifying sources…
Credibility vs. Reliability
Credible - the quality or power of inspiring belief
Reliability - high standards of researching, fact-checking, accountability,
and ethical reporting

10. In Verifying sources…
•Primary Sources
•Secondary Sources
•Tertiary Sources

11. Types of Sources: Primary and Secondary (Keys for Writers by Ann
Raimes)
• Primary: Firsthand, raw, or original materials that researchers study and analyze.
• Involves consulting historical documents, visuals, journals and letters,
autobiographies, memoirs, government statistics and studies, and speeches.
• Involves examining works of art, literature, and architecture or watch or listen to
performances and programs.
• Involves study or initiating case studies or scientific experiments and take
extensive field notes. Conduct interviews and use data collected from
questionnaires

12. Secondary Sources
• Analytical works that comment on and interpret other works, such as
primary sources. Examples include reviews, discussions, biographies,
critical studies, analysis of literary or artistic works or events,
commentaries on current and historical events, class lectures, and
electronic discussions.

13. Verifying and evaluating sources is just like a
walk in the PAARC
•Purpose
•Accuracy
•Authority
•Relevance
•Currency

14. Purpose: Why does the information exist?
• What is the purpose of the information? to inform? teach? sell? entertain? persuade?
• Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
• Is the information fact? opinion? propaganda?
• Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
• Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?

15. Accuracy:
How Reliable, Truthful, or Correct is this Info?
• Where does the information come from?
• Is the information supported by evidence?
• Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
• Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
• Does the language or tone seem biased and free of emotion?
• Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors?

16. Beware of predatory sources of information!

17. How are the arguments structured?
Toulmin’s Model of Argumentation

18. Wikipedia: Why do your professors say NO?
• Articles may be heavily biased, incomplete, or vandalized.
• May contain obvious oversights or omissions.
• Many contributors do not cite their sources.
• Bibliographies are frequently incomplete or out-of-date.
• Credentials of authors vary.
• Continually edited - >100,000 edits/day.
• Can propagate misinformation.

21. Wikipedia: How to use it as a tool
• Useful for background information.
• Contains many viable links and references.
• Excels in topics on current events, popular culture, emerging technology, and
obscure subjects.
• Don’t CITE it! Cite sources it links to, if you find them to be credible, accurate,
useful, etc.

22. Authority: Who is the Source of the Info?
• Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
• Are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given? If yes,
what are they?
• What are the author's qualifications to write on the topic?
• Is there contact information, such as a publisher or e-mail address?
• Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?
examples: .com .edu .gov .org .net

23. Types of websites
Every website ends in a Top Level Domain (often shortened to TLD)
which tells you the type of website you’re looking at.
• .com = commercial
• .edu = educational
• .gov = government
• .net = network or alternative to .com
• .org = not-for-profit

24. Relevance: The Importance of the Info to Your Needs
• Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
• Who is the intended audience?
• Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for
your needs)?
• Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?

25. Currency: Timeliness of Info
• When was the information published or posted?
• Has the information been revised or updated?
• Is the information current or out-of-date for your topic?
• Are the links functional?

26. The SOURCES Framework
Scrutinize the Fundamental Source
Organize Thoughts
Understand the Context
Read Between the Lines
Corroborate and Refute
Establish a Plausible Narrative
Summarize Final Thoughts
Waring, S. M., & Scheiner-Fisher, C. (2014).

27. After gathering and evaluating sources…
Do not forget to acknowledge your sources!
Do not take ownership of something that you do not own. Plagiarism is
a crime.
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8293 - “Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.”