"Students often ask how to determine which websites and articles are good sources to cite. My answer is always, “Well, what do you think?” Students need to be able to think on their own. So, if your student offers some questionable sources, ask, “Why did you choose that one?” Try to get the student to think about the who, what, why, and when of the article and website. Let the student use critical thinking to come to a valid conclusion. They might just have a good reason for using the source."
Mia MacMeekin recently posted a new infographic that helps students learn how to determine if online resources are reliable. It is split into four sections, and each section has seven questions. The four sections are:
* Who wrote it?
* What is it for?
* Why was it written?
* When was it written?
With the additional questions students should be able to determine if the site is relevant to their research, and use critical thinking skills as they come to their decision.
This is an area where many students struggle, and this visual may help them become more comfortable in learning how to evaluate information.
Helpful to encourage thinking and self-evaluating...