Mastering Credible Source Research Skills
Grade 9 English Language Arts Building Critical Research Foundation
What Makes a Source Credible?
Think about the last time you searched for information online How did you decide which sources to trust? Write down 1-2 sentences about what you think makes a source reliable
The CRAAP Test for Source Evaluation
Currency: How recent is the information? Relevance: Does it relate to your topic? Authority: Who is the author or publisher? Accuracy: Is the information supported by evidence? Purpose: Why was this information published?
Credible vs. Non-Credible Sources
{"left":"Peer-reviewed academic journals\nGovernment websites (.gov)\nEstablished news organizations\nEducational institutions (.edu)\nProfessional organizations","right":"Personal blogs without expertise\nSocial media posts\nWebsites with obvious bias\nSources without author information\nOutdated information (varies by topic)"}
Exploring Library Databases
Work in pairs to access our school library database Use the provided research question to conduct a search Apply advanced search filters (date, source type, subject) Select 2 sources that appear credible Complete the CRAAP checklist for each source
Advanced Search Strategies
Use quotation marks for exact phrases Combine keywords with AND, OR, NOT Filter by publication date and source type Look for peer-reviewed or scholarly sources Check multiple databases for comprehensive results
Collaborative Source Evaluation
Compare your source evaluations with your partner Discuss any differences in your CRAAP assessments Defend your choices using specific evidence Be prepared to share interesting findings with the class Consider: What made some sources more credible than others?
Remember: Ethical Research Practices
"The goal of research is not just to find information, but to find reliable information that advances knowledge and understanding." Always cite your sources properly Avoid plagiarism by giving credit to original authors Use information responsibly and ethically