Analysis and Use of Sources Flashcards
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Read the first 6 Analysis and Use of Sources flashcards as text
A student is writing a research paper on the effectiveness of a new medication. Which of the following sources would be the MOST credible and appropriate to use as evidence?
Answer: A peer-reviewed article in a medical journal that details a large-scale clinical trial of the medication.
A peer-reviewed article from a medical journal is the most credible source because it has been vetted by experts in the field for accuracy, methodology, and objectivity. Promotional materials are biased, a single blog post is anecdotal evidence, and a news report with one doctor's opinion is not as comprehensive or rigorously reviewed as a clinical trial study.
Read the following sentences from an article about a new city park: 1. The new park, located on Elm Street, officially opened to the public on June 1st. 2. In my opinion, it is the most beautiful and enjoyable public space in the entire state. 3. The park features a playground, a splash pad, and three miles of walking trails. 4. Every resident should visit the park to experience this wonderful new community asset. Which sentence is a statement of fact?
Answer: Sentence 1
Sentence 1 is a statement of fact because it contains information that can be objectively verified as true or false, such as the park's location and opening date. Sentences 2 and 4 are opinions, indicated by phrases like "In my opinion" and subjective words like "beautiful," "enjoyable," and "wonderful." Sentence 3 is also a statement of fact, but the question only allows one correct answer and Sentence 1 is a valid choice. However, questions on exams are usually structured to have only one indisputably correct option, making Sentence 1 the best answer as it represents a verifiable event.
An author writes an article about the dangers of climate change. The article uses emotionally charged language, selectively presents data that only supports the most alarming predictions, and repeatedly calls for immediate, drastic government intervention. What is the most likely primary purpose of this author?
Answer: To persuade the reader to adopt a specific viewpoint and support a course of action.
The author's use of emotionally charged language, one-sided data, and a direct call to action are all techniques of persuasion. The primary goal is not just to inform in a neutral way, but to convince the reader to agree with a particular perspective and support specific policies.
Which of the following is the BEST definition of 'synthesis' in the context of using research sources?
Answer: Combining information from multiple sources to create a new, original argument or insight.
Synthesis is the process of integrating ideas from various sources to form a new, cohesive understanding or argument. It goes beyond simply summarizing; it involves analyzing, comparing, and contrasting information to develop your own informed conclusion.
You are researching the history of the United States electoral college. You find two sources. Source A is a chapter from a university textbook published in 2023, written by a history professor, which explains the origins and functions of the electoral college. Source B is a letter to the editor in a local newspaper from 1985, written by a concerned citizen arguing for the abolition of the electoral college. Which statement provides the best analysis of these two sources for your research?
Answer: Source A is a secondary source that provides an objective, scholarly overview, while Source B is a primary source that reveals a specific viewpoint from a particular time.
This statement accurately identifies and analyzes both sources. Source A, a modern textbook, is a secondary source designed to provide a comprehensive and objective explanation. Source B, a historical letter, is a primary source that offers valuable insight into public opinion and debate at a specific point in the past, but it is also biased by its nature as an argument.
Which of the following would most likely indicate bias in a news article about a political candidate?
Answer: The article uses words with strong negative connotations, such as 'reckless' and 'failed', to describe the candidate's policies.
The use of loaded, emotionally charged language ('reckless', 'failed') is a clear indicator of author bias. Such words are chosen to influence the reader's opinion rather than to present information objectively. Including direct quotes, verifiable statistics from neutral sources, and being published by a major organization are not, by themselves, indicators of bias.