{"id":2992,"date":"2019-09-24T05:04:56","date_gmt":"2019-09-24T05:04:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/isucceed-wm-collegesuccess\/?post_type=chapter&p=2992"},"modified":"2020-03-10T16:52:26","modified_gmt":"2020-03-10T16:52:26","slug":"text-assess-the-value-of-the-information-you-find","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/isucceed-wm-collegesuccess\/chapter\/text-assess-the-value-of-the-information-you-find\/","title":{"raw":"Text: Assess the Value of the Information You Find","rendered":"Text: Assess the Value of the Information You Find"},"content":{"raw":"
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Think Like a Metaliterate Researcher:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Verify expertise but acknowledge that experts do exist. (A, C)<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nDistinguishing between experts and others is critical for finding quality information and being an effective researcher. Metaliterate researchers evaluate all forms of content with a critical eye. It is important to recognize that some people are experts while others are not, and to select your information sources accordingly.\r\n\r\nNotice that both the affective<\/strong><\/em> (or feeling-based) and cognitive<\/strong><\/em> (based on thought) domains are involved in following through on this learning objective. When you are evaluating sources for your research, you need to consider the source and authority of the information. You also need to acknowledge your own feelings and biases that can affect your interpretation of the information, as we will explore further in Part 2 of this tile.\r\n\r\nAuthority<\/em> refers to an author\u2019s level of expertise and credibility. Investigating where an author\u2019s expertise comes from can go a long way to help determine if a source is credible or not.\r\n

Methods for Investigating an Author's Authority<\/h2>\r\n

Investigate an Author\u2019s Official Credentials<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nCredentials (e.g. academic degrees, awards, or professional titles related to the topic) indicate that the author of the information has been recognized as an authority in a specific field, which may make them more believable. However, just because someone has an official seal of approval doesn\u2019t mean that everything they say is automatically true. It is the researcher\u2019s responsibility to follow up and to verify the information with other sources. Also make sure the author\u2019s expertise matches the topic. Is the author an expert in music, but writing an article about politics? In that case their music expertise may not be relevant when evaluating that particular article.\r\n

Examine an Author\u2019s History of Publishing About the Topic<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nLooking for other information sources by the same person can be very informative. If they\u2019ve written many articles on the same topic this can indicate deep engagement with and understanding of the topic. Consider checking to see how the sources have been received by others in the field (have they been cited frequently, ignored, or even debunked by other scholars?)\r\n

Consider How the Author Gained Authority<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n
\r\n\r\nAlong with more traditional credentials, there are other ways of becoming an authority. For instance, authority on skateboarding might have been earned through extensive practice culminating in competition wins, or from impressing other skateboarders on the street.Everyone has some area where they have developed expertise, and these \u201cnon-official\u201d or informal authorities are just as valid as \u201cofficial\u201d or formal ones in the right context.\r\n

Questions to Ask Yourself:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n