Evaluating Sources, Evidence And Credibility
Overview
Finding sources is only half of research. The harder, more valuable skill is judging them. Anyone can paste a quotation or a statistic into a report; a Global Perspectives student can say how far that quotation or statistic deserves to be trusted, and why. In a world where a convincing-looking claim can be invented in seconds, knowing how to test a source is one of the most useful things this course teaches.
This lesson gives you a clear method for evaluating sources and evidence. You will learn what reliability and credibility really mean, the questions to ask about who wrote something, when, why and with what expertise, how to spot bias and vested interest, how to tell fact from opinion from prediction, why corroboration matters, and how to weigh the strength of the evidence and reasoning behind a claim. These are core AO1 skills and they are tested directly in the Written Exam.
Objectives
- Analyse and evaluate sources for reliability, credibility, currency, expertise and purpose.
- Detect bias, vested interest, and the difference between fact, opinion and prediction.
- Weigh the strength of evidence and reasoning used to support a claim.
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Flashcards
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Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Evaluating Sources, Evidence And Credibility. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Which statement is a fact rather than an opinion or prediction? A. The government should spend more on schools B. In 2024 the world population passed 8 billion C. Robots will take most jobs by 2040 D. Football is the best sport Answer: B
- A company publishes research that happens to favour its own product. This is an example of a possible: A. Primary source B. Vested interest C. Corroboration D. Reliable fact Answer: B
- Which of these would best corroborate a surprising statistic? A. Two more websites that copied the same press release B. An independent study that reached the figure a different way C. A stronger headline D. The author repeating it Answer: B
- Which sentence is a prediction? A. Average temperatures rose last year B. Sea levels will rise sharply by 2100 C. The report was published in 2024 D. The survey questioned 1000 people Answer: B
- Which factor most increases the strength of evidence from a survey? A. A large, representative sample B. A catchy title C. A famous publisher D. Strong, emotive language Answer: A
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