Social 30 1 is a high school level course in Alberta, Canada that focuses on the study of contemporary social, economic, and political issues within the province and beyond. One key aspect of this course is the ability to critically analyze sources of information and determine their credibility, reliability, and relevance to the topic at hand.
To illustrate what a source analysis might look like in Social 30 1, let's consider the following example:
Imagine that you are studying the topic of income inequality in Alberta, and you come across two sources that provide information on the subject. The first source is a newspaper article written by a well-known journalist for a reputable newspaper, and the second source is a blog post written by an individual with no known expertise in the field.
To begin your source analysis, you might start by evaluating the credibility of each source. For the newspaper article, you might consider the reputation of the journalist and the newspaper itself, as well as any sources or evidence cited in the article. You might also consider the tone and language used, as well as any potential biases or agendas that might be present.
For the blog post, you might consider the credentials of the author and any sources or evidence cited. You might also look for any indication of bias or agenda, and consider the tone and language used.
Next, you might consider the reliability of each source. For the newspaper article, you might consider whether the information provided is supported by other sources or evidence, and whether the article has been fact-checked or edited for accuracy. For the blog post, you might consider whether the information provided is supported by other sources or evidence, and whether the post has been edited or fact-checked.
Finally, you might consider the relevance of each source to your topic of study. For the newspaper article, you might consider whether the information provided is directly related to the topic of income inequality in Alberta, and whether it adds new or valuable insights to your understanding of the issue. For the blog post, you might consider the same factors, but also consider whether the author has any particular expertise or perspective that makes the post especially relevant to your topic.
Overall, a source analysis is an important tool for evaluating the credibility, reliability, and relevance of the information you encounter during your studies. By carefully analyzing and comparing sources, you can better understand the issues you are studying and develop informed opinions and arguments.
