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Critical Thinking Activity: Evaluating Sources - One Topic, Two Examples

IF I APPLY - In Action (One Topic, Two Sources)

(To review the IF I APPLY checklist steps, scroll past the example in the next section to the green boxes below.)

Example Topic:

The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health

Personal Steps, no matter what the source is

  1. Identify emotions attached to the topic:
    • Reflection: "I feel strongly about this topic because I have younger siblings who spend a lot of time on social media."
  2. Find unbiased reference sources for proper review of the topic:
    • Action: I'll consult neutral sources like encyclopedias or meta-analyses on adolescent mental health to get a balanced overview.
  3. Intellectual courage to seek authoritative voices on the topic that may be outside of the thesis:
    • Action: I'll look for articles or books that present different perspectives on social media's impact, even if they contradict my initial belief/opinion.

Source Steps, with two different source types

Scholarly Article:
  • Authority established:
    • Investigation: Check the credentials of the authors. Do they have degrees in psychology, psychiatry, or a related field? Are they affiliated with reputable institutions?
    • Finding: The authors are professors at a well-known university with numerous publications on adolescent psychology.
  • Purpose/Point of view of source:
    • Investigation: Determine if the article aims to inform and educate or if it has a particular bias.
    • Action: Read the abstract and introduction to understand the research objectives and checks for any funding disclosures that might indicate a conflict of interest.
  • Publisher:
    • Investigation: Assess the credibility of the journal. Is it peer-reviewed? What is its impact factor?
    • Action: Confirm that the article is published in a high-impact, peer-reviewed journal.
  • List of sources (bibliography):
    • Investigation: Evaluate the references used in the article. Are they from credible and recent sources?
    • Action: Checks a few key references and find that they are from reputable journals and are relevant to the study.
  • Year of publication:
    • Investigation: Consider the publication date. Is the information still current?
    • Action: The article was published within the last two years, making the findings relevant to current social media trends.
Website Article:
  • Authority established:
    • Investigation: Check the author's qualifications. Do they have relevant education or experience in psychology or mental health?
    • Finding: The author is a journalist with no formal training in psychology but has interviewed several experts for the article.
  • Purpose/Point of view of source:
    • Investigation: Assess the intent behind the article. Is it to inform and educate, or is there an underlying motive?
    • Action: Notice that the article is written in a sensational tone, aiming to attract more readers rather than providing balanced information.
  • Publisher:
    • Investigation: Determine the credibility of the website. Is it a well-known health resource or a commercial site?
    • Action: Discovers that the website is a popular news outlet known for its clickbait headlines and sensational stories.
  • List of sources (bibliography):
    • Investigation: Examine the sources cited in the article. Are they reputable and relevant?
    • Action: Find that the article references some credible sources like research studies but also includes several anecdotal stories and expert opinions without proper citations.
  • Year of publication:
    • Investigation: Check the publication date. Is the information still applicable?
    • Action: The article was published two years ago. Check for more recent research and find updated studies that provide new insights into the topic.
Determination: this article would be appropriate for a college essay due to its credible authors, peer-reviewed publication, and well-referenced content. Determination: this article would be less appropriate for a college essay due to its sensational tone, lack of author expertise, and reliance on anecdotal evidence and non-scholarly sources.

 

IF I APPLY: Review Personal Steps

Personal Steps

  1. Identify emotions attached to the topic: Reflect on your own biases or strong feelings related to the topic. This helps you recognize how your emotions might influence your research.
  2. Find unbiased reference sources for proper review of the topic: Consult neutral reference materials (like encyclopedias or fact-checking websites) to gain a balanced understanding of the topic.
  3. Intellectual courage to seek authoritative voices on the topic that may be outside of the thesis: Be motivated to explore authoritative sources that may present viewpoints different from your own thesis, fostering open-mindedness and intellectual growth.

IF I APPLY: Review Source Steps

Source Steps

  1. Authority established: Check if the author has relevant education and experience in the field. Verify the author’s credentials and expertise.
  2. Purpose/Point of view of source: Assess whether the author has an agenda beyond providing education or information. Look for any signs of bias or ulterior motives.
  3. Publisher: Evaluate whether the publisher has an agenda. Consider the reputation and credibility of the publishing entity.
  4. List of sources (bibliography): Examine the evidence provided. Check if the sources cited are reliable, credible, and relevant.
  5. Year of publication: Determine whether the publication date affects the information’s relevance and accuracy. Consider if the data might be outdated or if recent developments could change the context.