Evaluating Sources: Cause & Effect Research

English 2: Why are you here?

Uh, yeah. Ok.

Uh, No...I don’t

think so.

Monday, March 11, 2013

Evaluating SourcesFinding Rock Solid Sources

for your Cause & Effect Research Papers


Let’s start with a

PUBLIC CONTROVERSY



Topic: Should the U.S. use Drones in Combat?

EFFECTSMonday, March 11, 2013

Team 1 Are these experts qualified?

Team 2 What are the effects of drone use?

Your job while watching


http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3445_162-57568571/drones-eyes-in-the-sky/






Effects• civilians killed & injured

• few high level terrorist targets killed

• destruction of communities

• anti-Americanism

• fomenting recruitment in terrorist groups

• American soldiers kept out of harms way

• war is changed by this technology (destruction separate from the risks of sending soldiers into war)


Qualifications?


Qualifications?


Qualifications?



Many times... you have to seek out the other

voices.


Remember him?

http://livingunderdrones.org/




It is up to YOU to determine what is credible and what is not.


P.A.P.A.Monday, March 11, 2013

P=Publisher / OrganizationReputation

Conservative, Liberal, Nuetral?

History

Mission of Organization

Type of OrganizationUniversity? Media? Non Profit Organization?


Think Tanks

Go to “About” PageCredible?

http://www.brookings.edu/about#research-programs/




http://stratrisks.com/geostrat/9731

I did a google search for “unmanned drones risks”







“political-science analyst”

“security consultant”

“found through close friends that he had a unique personality which fit perfectly in communications”


Uh, no... I don’t think so.


http://www.oraclebroadcasting.com/broadcasters.php

Search a bit further and we find the organization’s

connection with...




A=AuthorEducation

JobExpertise in Field

Years of ExperienceProven track record

AffiliationNo bias/no economic connection


Check the credentials of these authors


“Google” Her


“Google” Him


P = PURPOSE

• To Persuade/Call to Action

• To Educate/Inform

• To Protect a Reputation

• To Protect an Economic Interest


Bias • Who funds the research? What are their motives? Question ECONOMIC motives!

• Who lobbies the government to get it to enact policies favorable to the company?


A=AccuracyCan you verify facts?

Can you prove authenticity?

Research methods explained?

Strong or weak evidence?

Works Cited /Bibliography?


Ms. Terry must sign off on your sources!

You will explain the credibility of one source that I randomly select.


Exploring Other TopicsPew “Topics” Page

http://www.pewresearch.org/topics/

Brookings Institute “Research” Pagehttp://www.brookings.edu/research#federal-budget/topics/




http://www.brookings.edu/research#federal-budget/topics/


