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Ramage Chapter 15: Evaluating Sources
Classical Arguments (Rap Battles) WritingWorkshop
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Is the source reliable or unreliable?Why?
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Highly prized concept in academia
Refers to rigorous and competitiveselection process by which scholarlymanuscripts are chosen for publication
Judged on rigor and accuracy of researchand significance and value of argument
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Authority
Objectivity
Coverage
Accuracy
Currency
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Authority
Is the document author or site sponsorclearly identified?
Does the site identify the occupation,position, education, experience, or othercredentials of the author?
Does the home page or a clear link fromthe home page reveal the authors or
sponsors motivation for establishing thesite?
Does the site provide contact informationfor the author or sponsor such as an
email or organization address?
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Objectivity
Is the sites purpose clear? Is the site explicit about declaring its
point of view?
Does the site indicate whether theauthor is affiliated with a specificorganization, institution, or association?
Does the site indicate whether it is
directed toward a specific audience?
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Coverage
Are the topics covered by the site clear? Does the site exhibit a suitable depth and
comprehensiveness for its purpose?
Is sufficient evidence provided to supportthe ideas and opinions presented?
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Accuracy
Are the sources of information stated? Do the facts appear to be accurate?
Can you verify this information bycomparing this source with other sourcesin the field?
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Currency
Are dates included in the Web site? Do the dates apply to the material itself,
to its placement on the Web, or to thetime the site was last revised andupdated?
Is the information current, or at least stillrelevant, for the sites purpose? For your
purpose?
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Who placed this piece on the Web and why?
Each kind of website has a different purpose
.com Commercial site
Purpose is to promote the view of a
corporation or business .org
Nonprofit organizations or advocacy groups
Purpose is
To provide accurate, balanced informationrelated to organizations mission work
To promote political views
To advocate a cause
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.edu
Associated with a college or university
Purpose varies to include school promotion,strong advocacy on student issues, objectiveand scholarly research
.gov or .mil Sponsored by a government agency or
military unit
Provide basic data about government policy,bills in Congress, economic forecasts, censusdata, etc.
Purpose varies to include objective
information or promotion of agencys agenda
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Is the source reliable or unreliable?Why?
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What is Google Scholar?
Attempts to duplicate services of licensed
databasesDoesnt make public names of journals it
indexes
Unsure whether source is current orthorough
Useful substitute for researchers who dont
have access to online databases licensed by
university libraries
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Index articles appearing in thousands of
periodicalsRestricted to fee-paying customers
Cant be accessed through web search
engines Academic Search Complete (Ebsco)
LexisNexis
JSTOR
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www.ccac.edu/library
Click Article Databases under Find Articles &
Databases
Choose one of the listed databases; I usuallystick with Academic Search Premier or Ebscohost
ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS scroll down to Limit
Your Results
On left-hand side, check Full Text box
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Rough draft of Classical Argument/Rap
Battle
Read Hacker Chapters 19 & 20
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