· Describe the criteria used to evaluate the credibility of the information
Evaluating Credibility
Finding sources is only the first step in using sources in investigative reporting. This week, you will explore how to evaluate the credibility of source material.
First, select two of the following examples:
1. A new treatment for Parkinson’s disease has been announced. Find three articles about Parkinson’s disease. (For this exercise, review “Discussion Lists” in Computer-Assisted Research, pp. 46-56.)
2. After another traffic death involving air bags, you are investigating the issue of air bag usage. Find three newsgroup messages to get ideas of issues people are talking about. (For this exercise, review “Newsgroups and Forums” in Computer-Assisted Research, pp. 57-66.)
3. You are doing a series on domestic violence. Find three forums where this is being discussed. (For this exercise, review “Newsgroups and Forums” in Computer-Assisted Research, pp. 57-66.)
Include the following elements for each of the two examples you selected:
· Provide an overview of the topic under evaluation in each of the two examples you selected.
· List at least two appropriate sources using the suggested forum for each of the examples.
· Describe the criteria used to evaluate the credibility of the information you have found for each of the examples.
The assignment must be two to three pages (excluding the title and reference pages) and completed using the APA style format. The paper must include a title page, in-text citations, and a full list of references at the end. You must cite at least one reference from the textbook and at least one reference from scholarly outside reading material. References for each of the stories must also be included.
