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Evaluating Sources

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Did you know? You can access an editable version of this activity: Google Doc or Word Doc
OER PROJECT: BIG HISTORY/ LESSON 6.6ACTIVITY EVALUATING SOURCES1Unless otherwise noted, this work is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Credit: “Evaluating Sources,” OER Project, https://www.oerproject.com/PurposeExploringdifferent strategies for evaluating sources on climate change will help improve your sourcing and claim-testing skills. Key Information Questions to help you evaluate authority:•Expertise: What is the author’s (or organization’s) authorityor professional and educational background in a field?•Source citation:Does the author reference the sources they used to gather, analyze, or interpret information?•Perspective:What is the author’spoint of view and their motivation for sharing the information?Process1.Rank the expertise of each individual to make the following claim:Renewable energy is the most effective solution to climate change.IndividualsExpertise rankExplain your answerHighMediumLowA city council member supporting energy projectsScientist with a PhD in ecology and conservationOwner of a solar-panel manufacturing companyHigh-school environmental science teacher
OER PROJECT: BIG HISTORY/ LESSON 6.6ACTIVITY EVALUATING SOURCES22.Evaluate how the perspectiveof each individual might influence your confidence in thisclaim:Renewable energy is the most effective solution to climate change.IndividualHow might each person’s perspective influence the information they are sharing and how they do it?A city council member supporting energy projectsScientist with a PhD in ecology and conservationOwner of a solar-panel manufacturing companyHigh-school environmental science teacher
OER PROJECT: BIG HISTORY/ LESSON 6.6ACTIVITY EVALUATING SOURCES33.Look at the four sources below and rate the source citation of the information. Source citation rank (circle one)Source citation rank (circle one)High Medium LowHigh Medium LowExplain your answer:Explain your answer:
OER PROJECT: BIG HISTORY/ LESSON 6.6ACTIVITY EVALUATING SOURCES4Source citation rank (circle one)Source citation rank (circle one)High Medium LowHigh Medium LowExplain your answer:Explain your answer:
OER PROJECT: BIG HISTORY/ LESSON 6.6ACTIVITY EVALUATING SOURCES54.Of the four source citations that you ranked, which ones would you use if you had to do a project on the current state of our climate? 5.Write one or two sentences explaining why it’s important to evaluate the authority of a source.