14 Virtual Field Trip: Know Your Sources
KNOW YOUR SOURCES
A GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING SOURCES
When doing research you will come across a lot of information from different types of sources. How do you decide which source to use? From tweets to newspaper articles, this tool provides a brief description of each and breaks down 6 factors of what to consider when selecting a source.
A platform for millions of very short messages on a variety of topics that enables brief dialogue between distinct groups of people across geographic, political, cultural and economic boundaries.
An avenue for sharing both developed and unpolished ideas and interests with a niche community with relative ease.
A collection of millions of educational, inspirational, eye-opening and entertaining videos that are shared rapidly and widely.
A reporting and recording of cultural and political happenings that keeps the general public informed of daily events, sports, and current news. Opinions and public commentaries can also be included.
A glossy compilation of informative, entertaining stories with unique themes intended for a specific interests—or lifestyles—from celebrities to gardening to gaming.
A collection of work-related articles that keep professionals up-to-date on the latest trends, breakthroughs and controversies in their field.
A collection of analytic reports that outline the objectives, background, methods, results and limitations of new research written for and by scholars in a niche field.
A book in which the information presented is supported by clearly identified sources. Sometimes each chapter has a different author, and the editor pulls them all together into a whole. Often these types of books have a narrow and specific focus.
A book or set of books giving information on many subjects or on many aspects of one subject. Some are intended as an entry point into research for a general audience, some provide detailed information. Most list relevant books and articles for further information on a topic.
TOTAL NUMBER PUBLISHED PER DAY
When an idea can be published quickly, we end up with many ideas that we have to sift through before we find what we’re looking for. As the selectivity of a medium increases, the value and uniqueness of the contribution typically increases too. However, on the flip side, when the selectivity increases, fewer diverse ideas or voices may be published.
DEGREE OF SCRUTINY BEFORE A SOURCE IS PUBLISHED
Two factors contribute to the amount of scrutiny that a source receives before it might be published: The number of reviewers fact-checking the written ideas and the total time spent by reviewers as they fact-check the ideas. The more people pulled into the review process and the longer the review process takes, the more credible the source is likely to be.
DEGREE OF AUTHOR EDUCATION
One factor contributing to the amount of knowledge used to produce a source is the number of authors collaborating on the article. When more people contribute the