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Approaches to Learning: Research and Writing at ISU: Evaluating Sources

This guide supports teachers and students with common approaches to research and writing across subject areas in the MYP and DP at the International School of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Evaluating Sources Using OPCVL (Individuals & Societies requirement)

ORIGIN | PURPOSE | CONTENT | VALUE | LIMITATION

The IBMYP I&S course required the use of OPCVL to evaluate sources. You are asked to consider each of the following for sources you encounter (both primary and secondary sources) and for those you choose to use to complete research assignments:

  • The origin* of the source. (Who wrote it? Who published it? When? Where?)
  • The purpose of the source, particularly relevant for primary sources. (Who is the intended audience of the source? What are they meant to get from it)
  • A short summary of the content of the source
  • The value of the source for your project (How does this source help you to explore your research question? How will it help you to connect to your global context, create your final project and/or achieve your goal?)
  • The limitations of the source. (What questions does this source raise? What perspective does the source take? Does the information contrast with other sources? Does it present a balanced view? What does it make you think about the next steps for your research?) 

*Be thoughtful when you discuss the origin of a source. Do not simply repeat the name of the author. In fact, do not repeat any details that already appear in the MLA8 citation. Instead, show that you know something about the author's or publisher's authority or expertise. Demonstrate critical thinking skills--do not simply state the obvious.

SIFT (The Four Moves) developed by Mike Caulfield

Annotated Bibliography

From NoodleTools:

A bibliography that contains a summary and/or assessment of each source is generically called an annotated bibliography. Annotations can range from a short phrase or sentence description to a paragraph which analyzes and critically compares it it to other sources in the list.  

A descriptive annotation summarizes the content (e.g., the main idea, content, and plot) and explains its value to your research. When relevant to your research, concisely include the following information:

What is the scope of this source? Is it an overview, a manual, a critical analysis of one point of view, an in-depth explanation of a phenomenon?

  • How is the time and place of this publication relevant? Is it a primary source (e.g., written by an observer of events, a report of the author’s original research)?
  • Why are the author's credentials or expertise related to my research topic? What is the author’s reputation among other experts?
  • What is the purpose of this source? Is the author's intention to persuade, to inform, to analyze, to inform, or to argue for a point-of-view?
  • What is the writing genre and format? Is it an essay, a Web page, a peer-reviewed journal article, a reference work, a blog entry, a video clip? Are there distinctive design features that enhance the communication?
  • What knowledge level is expected of the reader? Has it been written for a general reader, a scientist, a high school student, an instructor? Is the writing style and information appropriate to that audience?
  • How did it help you understand your topic? How did you use it? Did its bibliography lead you to new sources?

A critical annotation includes a description (see above), then evaluates the quality of your source related to others and the value of its information to your research.

  • What is missing or questionable?

  • Is there evidence of bias or distortion?

  • Are there errors or weaknesses?

  • How does this source fit with or compare to other sources used?

​OPCVL:

  • The origin* of the source. (Who wrote it? Who published it? When? Where?)
  • The purpose of the source, particularly relevant for primary sources. (Who is the intended audience of the source? What are they meant to get from it)
  • A short summary of the content of the source
  • The value of the source for your project (How does this source help you to explore your research question? How will it help you to connect to your global context, create your final project and/or achieve your goal?)
  • The limitations of the source. (What questions does this source raise? What perspective does the source take? Does the information contrast with other sources? Does it present a balanced view? What does it make you think about the next steps for your research?) 

*Be thoughtful when you discuss the origin of a source. Do not simply repeat the name of the author. In fact, do not repeat any details that already appear in the MLA8 citation. Instead, show that you know something about the author's or publisher's authority or expertise. Demonstrate critical thinking skills--do not simply state the obvious.