The library is open all summer – check the times on the Library website under Library Services/News. Remember that you can request new purchases and inter-library loans.
http://viewpoint.qmc.ac.uk/C10/Library%20Services/default.aspx
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
Monday, 11 July 2011
Resource log - Neutrality and Bias
When evaluating sources one relevant issue is the extent to which a source is neutral or biased.
Very few sources are truly neutral. A neutral source would be where all sides of an issue are presented with equal weight and no particular point of view is advocated. Neutral sources are very credible, but rare.
More often a source will be written in order to promote a particular point of view. This doesn't mean that the source is of no value, but you do need to be aware of what the writer's angle is, and to consider the opposing arguments. If you have two conflicting biased sources then you need to select other criteria to judge their credibility and the plausibility of their arguments. Remember the credibility criteria using the acronym RAVEN:
• Reputation
• Ability to perceive/see
• Vested interest
• Expertise or experience
• Neutrality or bias
In addition to these you will need to assess:
• to what extent the argument is plausible or implausible
• the quality and relevance of the evidence provided
• the quality of the reasoning – does the author provide sound reasons to support his case, or is the thinking flawed in some way.
Watch this space for more blog entries on these topics, which will be useful not only for evaluating your sources but also for structuring and revising your own arguments.
Very few sources are truly neutral. A neutral source would be where all sides of an issue are presented with equal weight and no particular point of view is advocated. Neutral sources are very credible, but rare.
More often a source will be written in order to promote a particular point of view. This doesn't mean that the source is of no value, but you do need to be aware of what the writer's angle is, and to consider the opposing arguments. If you have two conflicting biased sources then you need to select other criteria to judge their credibility and the plausibility of their arguments. Remember the credibility criteria using the acronym RAVEN:
• Reputation
• Ability to perceive/see
• Vested interest
• Expertise or experience
• Neutrality or bias
In addition to these you will need to assess:
• to what extent the argument is plausible or implausible
• the quality and relevance of the evidence provided
• the quality of the reasoning – does the author provide sound reasons to support his case, or is the thinking flawed in some way.
Watch this space for more blog entries on these topics, which will be useful not only for evaluating your sources but also for structuring and revising your own arguments.
The beginning
Hi everyone,
Please let me have your email addresses so that I can add you as contributors to this blog - then you'll be able to write your own posts.
Email me about specific issues to do with your EPQ, but use this blog to ask general questions or to share ideas and resources with the group. Also follow one another's blogs - even where the topics are very different you may get ideas from one another, and it may be useful for you to get comments from your peers on the ideas you post.
Just a reminder that we're aiming for everyone to have a working title and have completed section 4 and 5 on Markbook by the end of term. You should aim to get a lot of research done over the holiday and I will want to see your project log and resource log when we return in September. Those who have started a blog, this is great easy way for me to see how things are going and is a great resource for you to reflect on the process.
The blog is yours, please use it, and follow one another's blogs too.
Please let me have your email addresses so that I can add you as contributors to this blog - then you'll be able to write your own posts.
Email me about specific issues to do with your EPQ, but use this blog to ask general questions or to share ideas and resources with the group. Also follow one another's blogs - even where the topics are very different you may get ideas from one another, and it may be useful for you to get comments from your peers on the ideas you post.
Just a reminder that we're aiming for everyone to have a working title and have completed section 4 and 5 on Markbook by the end of term. You should aim to get a lot of research done over the holiday and I will want to see your project log and resource log when we return in September. Those who have started a blog, this is great easy way for me to see how things are going and is a great resource for you to reflect on the process.
The blog is yours, please use it, and follow one another's blogs too.
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