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  3. Critically evaluate

Critically evaluate

    • Overview

      • Distinguish between examples of high- and low-quality information and follow instructions to evaluate it

    • Evaluate quality of information

      • Distinguish between examples of information of high and low quality on the web; follow instructions for its evaluation

    • Filter

      • Use quality criteria to carry out initial filtering of material from a search

    • Evaluate digital tools

      • Find and choose appropriate digital tools to support study, such as apps for word processing or note taking

    • Overview

      • Identify relevant and reliable tools and information in a given context, by applying basic quality criteria, and filter results based on this

    • Evaluate quality of information

      • Judge the value and relevance of different kinds of information such as academic, professional, personal or political
      • Apply basic criteria to evaluate the quality of given information (e.g. Who What Why)

    • Filter

      • Use quality criteria to carry out initial filtering of material from a search

    • Evaluate digital tools

      • Find and select online tools based on their relevance to the study context, e.g. dictionary apps

    • Overview

      • Apply comprehensive quality criteria to evaluate information, data and tools from a range of sources to support study

    • Evaluate quality of information

      • Apply quality criteria to evaluate a range of resources, including data, effectively (e.g. PROMPT)

    • Filter

      • Apply quality criteria to filter results from a range of sources

    • Evaluate digital tools

      • Apply relevant quality criteria to evaluate and use a range of digital tools to support study

    • Overview

      • Critically evaluate information, tools and data from any source by applying comprehensive quality criteria, to focus on the most appropriate

    • Evaluate quality of information

      • Use quality criteria to critically evaluate information from any source

    • Filter

      • Use quality criteria to filter results from searches and focus on the most relevant information or data within documents, e.g. by skim reading article abstracts

    • Evaluate digital tools

      • Evaluate and use digital tools and media in any context (e.g. study, personal or professional)

    • Overview

      • Critically appraise digital tools and information from any source using comprehensive quality criteria, to filter large quantities of information; make judgements on own work and the work of others

    • Evaluate quality of information

      • Engage in critical appraisal, including judgements on own work and the work of others

    • Filter

      • Define the scope of a research question and apply relevant criteria to filter large quantities of information related to the question

    • Evaluate digital tools

      • Critically evaluate, select and use unfamiliar digital tools and media for any context (e.g. study, personal or professional)

Critically evaluate - Examples

Evaluating information is about knowing who and what to trust online. It involves the critical assessment of information and selecting the right digital tools for a given task.

Here you will find examples of online materials that illustrate how this skill area can be taught and learned, with an indication of which level of taught OU study they may be suitable for. This is not intended to be prescriptive, but rather to give a flavour of what is available.

Title of activity

Description

Level

Sources

Freely available?

D241: Searching the literature on post-traumatic growth

Students search for articles. They choose which are most relevant and save them

1-2

D241: Exploring mental health and counselling

OU members only

E309: Why use news and what to be careful about

 

Find and evaluate a newspaper article stating why it could be useful in an assignment

3

E309: Comparative and international studies in primary education

OU members only

 

E809:  How to critically review AV material

A video is critically reviewed to gather the maximum amount of academic information (based on a Library Digital Skills for Study activity)

Masters

E809: Frameworks for critical practice with children and young people

OU members only

 

E808: Study skills: Using social media for research

 

Evaluating and comparing social media sources as part of the research process

Masters

E808: Children and young people's worlds

OU members only

 
Assessing the reliability of information for your assignment

 

Teaches how to evaluate information using a framework and looking critically at web information sources

1

Library online training

Free (recording)

OU only for live session

Being digital activity: selecting the right tools online

Activity introducing a structured method for evaluating new tools and apps

1

Being digital activity

Freely available

Being digital activity: Evaluation using PROMPT

Activity introducing a structured method for evaluating information

1

Being digital activity

Freely available

Library online training: improving your experience accessing online resources

Teaches how to manage file formats for accessibility; tools available to improve accessibility.

1

Library online training

Free (recording)

OU only for live session
Comparing academic sources

 

Academic resources and their strengths and limitations.

1

Help Centre

 

Freely available