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Comm 110 Evaluating Sources - McConnell

Practice Using the SIFT and PICK Method

  • Evaluate using the SIFT and PICK Method the source that corresponds to your group number in this Google Slides form.
  • Access the Source
  • Use the questions to help guide you
  • Determine if this is a reliable source to use and for what purpose- College research, personal use, to share?
  • Share your thoughts and findings about the source on this
  • Pick one person from your group to be a spokesperson. 

Exercise adapted from McHenry County College

Source #1

The Solar System and Exoplanets

  • What can you find out about the source- University of California Observatories?
  • What can you find out about the authors of the Ask an Astronomer page?
  • What type of source (book, article, website, social media post, etc.) is this?
  • Why do you think this source was created?

Source #2

Earth's Moon

  • What can you find out about the source- NASA?
  • When was the page published? Is the information in the source up-to-date?
  • Who would you say this source is created for? Is it written with a lot of technical language or jargon?
  • Why do you think this website was created?

Source #3

  • What can you find out about the source- The New York Times?
  • What can you find out about the author- Jacey Fortin?
  • Can you find the original study?
  • Does the article accurately represent the study?
  • Is this a scholarly or popular source? How do you know?

Source #4

More Water Found on Moon, Locked in Tiny Glass Beads

  • What can you find out about the source- The Wall Street Journal?
  • What can you find out about the author- Eric Niller?
  • Can you find the original study?
  • Does the article accurately represent the study?
  • Is this a scholarly or popular source? How do you know?

Source #5

Why Mining the Water on the Moon Could Open Up Space Exploration

  • What can you find out about the source- The Verge?
  • What can you find out about the author- Loren Grush?
  • Can you find the original study?
  • Does the article accurately represent the study?
  • Is the information in the source up-to-date? Would newer available sources add important information?