Title: Locating and Evaluating Sources
Course: Question Banks

Q: Which sentence below is an accurate description of a difference between popular sources and scholarly sources?
- A scholarly source is edited whereas a popular source is not. (Incorrect. Both scholarly sources and popular sources are edited.)
- A scholarly source is written for professionals in the field only, whereas a popular source is written for anyone. (Incorrect. While a scholarly source does include advanced scholars in its outreach, members of the general public, especially undergraduate and graduate students within the general public, often read through and utilize such pieces. A popular source does have more outreach, but this whole choice is not entirely true.)
- There is no difference between a scholarly and popular source. (Incorrect. There are clear distinguishing factors between scholarly and popular sources, such as methods for publication and word choice.)
- A scholarly source is peer-reviewed whereas a popular source is not. (Correct. Scholarly sources undergo review by peers / colleagues within the field. This process allows for a system of checks for accuracy and more.)
A: A scholarly source is peer-reviewed whereas a popular source is not.

Q: Which of the following descriptors characterizes a professional source?
- Any source that has professional language (Incorrect. This trait does not only identify professional sources. Scholarly sources, or even some popular sources, could utilize professional language (word choice/diction).)
- A source that was written by a professor (Incorrect. This trait does not only identify professional sources. While a professor could author a professional source; professors could also author a scholarly source in a journal or a popular source on their blog. Therefore, a professor being the author is not indicative of the professional source type.)
- A source that includes content to help make you a professional in a certain field (Incorrect. Process papers might help you to learn more about advancing in a field or learning how to become an expert at changing a tire or another task However, this trait is not an accurate selection that characterizes professional papers.)
- A source available through a professional network, such as a union or an institutional board (Correct. Organizations, such as a trade union or a healthcare institutional board, often publicize newsletters, magazines, or other texts. These works have are deemed professional sources as they target certain professions; their content typically includes trends in the field or other similar news.)
A: A source available through a professional network, such as a union or an institutional board

Q: Wyatt has been assigned a paper in his civics course. He’s been asked to use at least two primary sources, which focus on the topic of immigration and citizens’ rights, particularly focused on those immigrating through Ellis Island. Which of the following selections characterizes one of the sources that Wyatt could use?
- A professional source that interviewed immigrants’ descendents, especially those who could recall stories that their families had told (Incorrect. Such a source would be a secondary source. The primary source in this selection would have been the tales told directly from the immigrants, not their descendents.)
- A historically accurate, yet fictional, source that detailed the process that immigrants went through when arriving at Ellis Island and their quest for citizenship afterwards (Incorrect. Primary sources are nonfiction.)
- A modern film on the topic, whose writers took the time to ensure accuracy of the content that they shared, especially while casting actors (Incorrect. While a modern film could tell a true story; the interpretation of that story in film would be a secondary source, not a primary source.)
- A diary entry written by an individual who landed at Ellis Island and recorded their experience on the event (Correct. This diary entry would have been a primary source that Wyatt could choose due to its firsthand account features.)
A: A diary entry written by an individual who landed at Ellis Island and recorded their experience on the event

Q: Which of the following describes the best reason why you should trace a claim from a website?
- You should trace a claim to tell readers who its original author is (Incorrect. This answer is not the best choice, for many websites will cite the original author. However, the way that the citation is displayed may be misconstrued. Thus, looking for context and accuracy is vital.)
- You should trace a claim for a website to ensure it was used by permission. (Incorrect. Not all sources require permission to be used, especially under concepts such as Fair Use.)
- You should trace a claim from a website to see if the content has bias. (Incorrect. This step describes the “investigate” step; not the trace step, where context is at the forefront.)
- You should trace a claim to find its context and ensure its accuracy (Correct. By tracing a claim to find its context and ensure its accuracy, you can ensure that you are completing the fourth move of SIFT.)
A: You should trace a claim to find its context and ensure its accuracy

Q: In the acronym SIFT, the T stands for "Trace." Why is it important to trace a claim made by a website?
- You should trace a claim to tell readers who its original author is.
- You should trace a claim for a website to ensure it was used by permission.
- You should trace a claim from a website to see if the content is behind a paywall.
- You should trace a claim to find its context and ensure its accuracy.
A: You should trace a claim to find its context and ensure its accuracy.

Q: Petra needs to evaluate a source for an upcoming project. Which of the following sets of steps would NOT help Petra to evaluate a source?
- Find another trusted source that covers the same topic. (Incorrect. Petra’s evaluation process would benefit from the inclusion of this step. By searching, Petra could find a source that has better coverage of the original quote.)
- Sleep on it, and search more on it in the morning. (Incorrect. Sometimes pausing to think (the Stop step in SIFT) can be extremely helpful (assuming you have time).)
- Investigate the source by looking it up on Wikipedia. (Incorrect. Remember, we're looking for the step that wouldn't be helpful.)
- Take the source at its word; if it's published, it's probably accurate. (Correct. Taking the source as is, without stopping to evaluate the source, would not help Petra to ensure clarity and accuracy of the source for the upcoming project. Instead, Petra might try out the four moves of evaluation to evaluate the source.)
A: Take the source at its word; if it's published, it's probably accurate.

Q: Which of the following selections does NOT describe appropriate approaches for finding better coverage?
- Using phrases from the original website as search terms to find a source that has the same information with stronger credibility (Incorrect. This step would be an appropriate approach for finding better coverage, such as the original source.)
- Locating the origin of a quote from the website (Incorrect. This step is an ideal approach to find better coverage when evaluating a citation on a website.)
- Using the footnotes from the website to locate original sources that provide more material on the topic (Incorrect. When websites paraphrase, they often include footnotes to the original sources. Locating these sources can help you to find better coverage on the topic.)
- Posting the same material on a your school’s blog to allow it to appear in more search queries (Correct. While it can be acceptable to cite a source on your school’s blog, and thereby make it appear online another time; this step would not fit into an appropriate approach for finding better coverage, or finding the origin of the source.)
A: Posting the same material on a your school’s blog to allow it to appear in more search queries

Q: Li has been asked to write a paper on a controversial idea and knows it is important to avoid bias. Which of the choices would work well for Li?
- A source where the author has a vested interest (Incorrect. Li should not choose this source as the author is showing bias towards the interest.)
- A source that only presents one version of the truth (Incorrect. When a source only shows one version of the truth, there is bias. Li should not use this source.)
- A source that sides with a particular political party (Incorrect. If a source sides with a particular political party, it likely shows bias and wouldn’t work for Li’s project.)
- A source that links content back to the original article (Correct. Linking back to the original article is unbiased. Li could reference this source.)
A: A source that links content back to the original article

Q: While looking for bias, you might use clues. Which of the following clues shows an item that might be unbiased?
- There is overt evidence that shows that the author would benefit from writing the material. (Incorrect. Just the opposite. When there is no overt evidence that shows that the writer would benefit from providing the material, there is no bias.)
- The text includes statements about how the author will be more well received by promoting the content. (Incorrect. This characteristic shows an author’s bias.)
- The material does not refer to any outside resources, links, or other materials that could share other or similar viewpoints. (Incorrect. When a text only includes one viewpoint and fails to mention any references, it likely has bias.)
- There is no obvious evidence that shows that the author would gain something from writing the text. (Correct. This clue would likely lead to an unbiased source.)
A: There is no obvious evidence that shows that the author would gain something from writing the text.

Q: When using search engines, you will want to use:
- Full statements (Incorrect. Full statements could show too many results and/or ones unrelated to your topic)
- The main subject of research (Incorrect. Only focusing on the subject will show too many results that would need to be narrowed down)
- Research question (Incorrect. This could show too many results and/or ones unrelated to your topic)
- Main concepts (Correct. Main concepts focuses the search on specific terms)
A: Main concepts

Q: Which below are only the main concepts: Does social media have an affect on children’s mental health?
- social media, affect, mental health (Incorrect. Affect is not a main concept)
- does social media, affect children’s mental health (Incorrect. “Does” and “affect” are unnecessary terms)
- affect on children’s mental health (Incorrect. “Affect on” are unnecessary terms and bring up too many search results)
- social media, children, mental health (Correct. These are the main concepts)
A: social media, children, mental health

Q: How could I find out more about Mark Twain when he wrote under his birth name, Samuel Clemens, rather than his pseudonym?
- Boolean operator: Samuel Clemens NOT Mark Twain (Correct. Boolean operator will cut out any results that contain Mark Twain)
- Truncation: SamuelClemens (Incorrect. Truncation is for word variations.)
- Wildcard: Mark?Twain (Incorrect. Wildcard will find word variations not completely different words)
- Quotation marks: “Samuel Clemens” (Incorrect. This search will still show items that contain Mark Twain)
A: Boolean operator: Samuel Clemens NOT Mark Twain; Truncation: SamuelClemens

Q: How would you search for electoral college to ensure results using that entire phrase (and not, for instance, electoral politics or junior college)?
- Electoral AND College (Incorrect. Any result that has electoral and college will show up even if they are not together, which will lead to too many results)
- Electoral*College (Incorrect. This is a mix up of the wildcard and truncation, which are only for word variations)
- Electoral college (Incorrect. Any result that has electoral and college will show up even if they are not together, which will lead to too many results)
- “Electoral college” (Correct. Quotation marks around a phrase ensures results with those words together are found)
A: “Electoral college”

Q: Sam is researching the effect of pesticides on crops but also keeps seeing results for GMOs (genetically modified organisms). How could Sam tell the search engine to not list results about GMOs?
- “pesticides crops” (Incorrect. Quotation marks are used to find words that are together.)
- pesticides AND crops OR GMOs (Incorrect. OR would still show results for GMOs .)
- pesticides AND crops (Incorrect. This does not tell the search engine to not show results for GMOs.)
- pesticides AND crops NOT GMOs (Correct. This Boolean operator tells the search engine to not show results for GMOs.)
A: pesticides AND crops NOT GMOs

Q: Sasha is working with a library database for the first time and quickly realizes that she can’t just type a question in ordinary language and expect a good answer. What is an important thing to learn before she goes forward in her research?
- She should learn to read/write Latin, since most of these databases use Latin for their search terms. (Incorrect. Boolean operators are words like “and” or “not” that can be used in combination with key terms to search these databases more effectively and precisely. Latin is not required.)
- She should learn to write in computer languages like PASCAL or FORTRAN, since the database will understand her request better that way. (Incorrect. It’s not necessary to learn computer coding languages to create a good search of a library database. Boolean operators such as “and” or “not” are all that’s necessary.)
- She should learn to use mathematical functions like Cosine and Sine, because library databases will understand that language better. (Incorrect. It’s not necessary to learn mathematical functions to create a good search of a library database. Boolean operators such as “and” or “not” are all that’s necessary.)
- She should learn how to use the Advanced Search features, including Boolean operators like AND or NOT. (Correct! Library databases work much more effectively if you learn to use advanced search features like Boolean operators.)
A: She should learn how to use the Advanced Search features, including Boolean operators like AND or NOT.

Q: What is the best way to use multiple keywords like climate change and carbon emission to narrow a research topic?
- Write a question into the search that uses both keywords (Incorrect. Sentence will cause too many search results and many which may not be your topic)
- Search for each separately to see if similar results appear (Incorrect. This can be tedious and cause you to waste time)
- Use both in the basic search field (Incorrect. Basic search field may bring up too many results)
- Use the advanced search option (Correct. Advanced search is available in databases and online search engines to refine search results)
A: Use the advanced search option

Q: An article on your research topic makes reference to an older documentary that you feel would be useful for your project. How would you go about finding it?
- Search online (Incorrect. If it is available online there will likely be a paywall or short clips)
- Check the library stacks (Incorrect. Even if you know where books on your topic are in the stacks, multimedia items are kept in a different sections from the books)
- Find other sources about that documentary (Incorrect. Getting as close to the original/primary source as possible will be stronger evidence for your topic)
- Check the library multimedia catalog (Correct. Libraries will carry multimedia, such as films and radio dramas, or have online access to databases that carry them)
A: Check the library multimedia catalog

Q: Which is NOT an effective strategy when reading for research?
- Scan for relevant information (Incorrect. This is an effective strategy to locate material that will be helpful to you.)
- Locate subjects in the table of contents (Incorrect. This strategy allows you to cut down the amount of reading you’ll need to do to find the relevant material.)
- Use the search function for key words (Incorrect. Using the search function is an effective strategy to locate sections that might contain your topic.)
- Read the selection in its entirety (Correct. It’s not necessary to read every word of the sources you find; some of the material might not be relevant to your topic.)
A: Read the selection in its entirety

Q: Which of the following is the goal when reading for research?
- Engaging in active, critical reading (Incorrect. This type of reading is helpful for understanding academic texts, but it isn’t the most efficient when reading for research.)
- Carefully analyzing while reading (Incorrect. This type of reading will take too long and won’t be helpful to find material that you need.)
- Bouncing around and following connections (Incorrect. This type of reading was conducted to locate sources that might be relevant to your topic, but now you need to look for more specific material to actually incorporate in your writing.)
- Finding material that supports (or complicates) your argument (Correct. At this point, you are focused on looking for sources that can be used in your essay.)
A: Finding material that supports (or complicates) your argument

Q: Carlos has used strategies to read for research, but he still can’t find the right material. Which question would NOT be helpful for him at this point?
- Is your topic too narrow for this assignment? (Incorrect. Perhaps his topic needs to be revisited so he can find sources that will better fit the assignment.)
- Is your topic too broad for this assignment? (Incorrect. Perhaps his topic needs to be revisited so he can find sources that will better fit the assignment.)
- Does your thesis statement allow for several points to be made? (Incorrect. This is a helpful question so he can ensure that his focus will provide room for development and outside sources.)
- Did you read everything from the books and articles you located? (Correct. Going back through the sources that he’s already determined aren’t necessary wouldn’t be a good use of time.)
A: Did you read everything from the books and articles you located?

Q: Doug has a large article with detailed information that he wants to break down into smaller pieces that still follow the author’s organization. Which would be the best note-taking strategy for him?
- Mind map (Incorrect. This is a visual strategy that wouldn’t necessarily keep the organization in tact.)
- 5 R’s (Cornell note taking method) (Incorrect. This note-taking method includes more of your insight and doesn’t focus on the organization.)
- List of questions (Incorrect. This strategy is created by you before/while reading and wouldn’t capture the author’s ideas or organization.)
- Outline (Correct. Outlining is a good strategy to condense material while still keeping information in the same order.)
A: Outline

Q: You want to make connections between the ideas in the article as you take notes. Which of the following note-taking strategies would be a good fit for you here?
- Outline (Incorrect. This strategy still maintains the author’s organization and wouldn’t be as helpful as other strategies.)
- 5 R’s (Cornell Note Taking Method) (Incorrect. This strategy doesn’t use visuals in the same way and might not be the best choice here.)
- List of questions (Incorrect. This strategy doesn’t necessarily make connections between the ideas and instead focuses on expanding the idea.)
- Mind map (Correct. This strategy is more visual and allows you to write connected ideas together or link with a line.)
A: Mind map

Q: Which of the following is NOT included in an annotated bibliography?
- Citation (name and publication information of the source) (Incorrect. The citation in correct formatting is required for the annotated bibliography so you have all of the information needed for documentation.)
- Paragraph summarizing the source (Incorrect. A paragraph summarizing the source helps you remember what material was in that source.)
- Paragraph explaining importance and usefulness (Incorrect. This paragraph helps you remember why you would want to include that material in your essay.)
- In-text parenthetical citation (Correct. The in-text parenthetical citation isn’t required for the annotated bibliography and is instead added throughout the essay.)
A: In-text parenthetical citation

Q: Which of the following is NOT a benefit of an annotated bibliography?
- It can function as a useful guide to your research sources. (Incorrect. The annotated bibliography puts all of your outside sources in one place for easy reference.)
- It makes it easier to revisit sources later. (Incorrect. Having all of your outside sources with documentation information together makes it easier to find them later.)
- It can help to jump-start the writing of a literature review section. (Incorrect. Looking through an annotated bibliography from someone else can lead you to other sources on the same topic.)
- The annotations save you time, since you can use them instead of complete citation information. (Correct, this is NOT a benefit of the annotated bibliography. You still need to give complete citation information.)
A: The annotations save you time, since you can use them instead of complete citation information.

Q: For each of her sources, Joan has a citation and a paragraph summarizing the work, and she doesn’t want to keep working on the annotated bibliography. What could you say to her to motivate her to complete this assignment?
- Writing an extra paragraph with background information on the author will link you to the writer. (Incorrect. Background information on the author is not necessary for the annotated bibliography unless it’s relevant to the topic.)
- Completing another paragraph with the names of everyone mentioned in the article will help you remember who was involved. (Incorrect. Including all of the names of those mentioned in the article isn’t necessary for the annotated bibliography.)
- Another paragraph for each citation will be needed for the Works Cited page anyway, so writing them now will save time later. (Incorrect. The paragraphs you write for the annotated bibliography are only for your reference -- no paragraphs are included on the Works Cited page.)
- Adding a paragraph to explain the importance and the usefulness of this source will help you remember how this connects to and develops your topic. (Correct. This information is a good reminder that could save time and effort later in the writing process.)
A: Adding a paragraph to explain the importance and the usefulness of this source will help you remember how this connects to and develops your topic.