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EES 112: Environmental Science - Ranhofer: Evaluating Popular Sources

Resources, help, and tips for Dr. Ranhofer's Environmental Science class.

Remember your ABCDs

        Graphic by Paige Dhyne, Science Librarian at Furman University. CC-BY-ND-SA license.

CHM 115: Source A

CHM 115: Class Example

CHM 115: Source B

Consider the following as well...

Authority
  • Does the writer have a background in the content they are writing about?
  • Are they a science writer?
  • Do they have the education necessary to write about this topic for a general audience?
  • Do they write about this topic often? 
  • Can you Google the author's name and find more about their writing or their credentials?
     
Bias
  • Does the website claim an "editorial point of view"?
  • Can you find information about who sponsors the site?
  • Is there an "About Us" or "Learn More" section on the site?
     
Content
  • Does the writing seem to be crafted using sensationalist, derogatory, or hyperbolic language?
  • Does the writer use expletives or "nicknames" for opposing political parties?
  • Does the writing cite information in a works cited?
  • Does the writing hyperlink out to original scientific research?
  • Does the writing hyperlink to other articles from the same author or website?
     
Date
  • How often does the website and its writers produce content on this topic?
  • Is this a topic they've covered historically?
  • Websites are subject to change quickly: is there a version history or updates made to the page if its a year or so old?