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EDUC 2500 Strategies for Social Change: Evaluating Sources

Search Strategy

Choosing Powerful Search Terms Evaluating sources

Context is so important in figuring out what makes a source reputable. Let's share examples of more and less reputable sources to figure out criteria to use for this project moving forward. Click Add to My Drive to save to your own Google Drive folder.

Questions to Consider when Evaluating Sources

  1. Who created the content? What are their funding sources or relationships to the movement or organization? Do they disclose this openly or do you have to dig to find out?
  2. Can you trace claims, quotes, research, or media back to the original context? Are links or references to sources included?
  3. Are there motives, bias, or a specific perspective being advocated for or against? Does the creator acknowledge this?

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Types of News Content  

There are a variety of types of news, including but not limited to:

News Story

Direct Reporting of noteworthy events or issues

Analysis

A comprehensive review of an issue or an event

Analysis

Investigative Journalism

Lengthy, long-form journalism of a complex topic 

Investigative

Editorial

Opinion, viewpoint or argument (some written by editors -- others by readers)

Interview

Recording or transcript of a dialog or conversation

News Agency Syndications

Material drawn from news agencies such as Reuters or the Associated Press. 

Reuters