Evaluate authority, date, and evidence
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The idea in everyday life
Judge whether a source is current, relevant, transparent, and supported enough for the decision at hand.
Before trusting a claim, check who published it, when, whom it applies to, what evidence supports it, and what the publisher wants you to do.
One step at a time.
Use the sample or information you have permission to use. Keep your work as you go. You can pause between steps.
- 1
Identify who published the information, what they know, when it was updated, and what they want the reader to do.
- 2
Open the original source behind a summary. Check whether it makes the same claim, uses the same definitions, and applies to the same people and place. Note any exceptions.
- 3
Mark each item as verified, plausible lead, outdated, unclear, or not applicable and explain why.
See how it works.
Ari sees a ‘free training’ post, follows it to the provider’s current page, and finds a fee and a different enrollment date than the post stated.
Did you cover these?
- Your work includes a source-quality table for five opportunity or training claims.
- Check this common mistake: Treating a polished page, testimonials, likes, or a recent-looking search snippet as evidence of eligibility or outcomes.
- You can state what a source supports, what it does not support, and what must be checked next.
What to finish
A source-quality table for five opportunity or training claims.
Watch for this
Treating a polished page, testimonials, likes, or a recent-looking search snippet as evidence of eligibility or outcomes.
How can I tell I understand it?
You can state what a source supports, what it does not support, and what must be checked next.
Quick knowledge check
Answer all 3 questions. Get at least 2 right and the lesson completes automatically.
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Answer all 3 questions above and get at least 2 right. You can review the explanations and try again.
Go to the knowledge checkOptional course overview video · same video as Lesson 1
Evaluating Digital Sources
From Discovery Education. Watch here or open it on YouTube .
Watch for an idea you can use in the practice below. You can pause or skip this optional overview.Tools, templates, and lesson sources
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Sources and further reading
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