Source Evaluation - 5) Purpose

Purpose

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT:

The purpose (the "Why") behind a source can help you evaluate whether it is a reasonable and valid piece of information to reference in your own research paper or article. Although a source could appear credible, relevant, and accurate, you should examine the purpose behind the source just to be certain. Knowing a source's purpose and whether it was created to inform, persuade, argue, or compel can help you make more informed choices with your sources.

WHAT TO DO:

Review the examples and visual aid that explains the process.
Answer the self-check questions at the end.
Go to the next step in this guide, Data Literacy.

Questions to Determine Purpose

- 1. What is the reason behind this information?
    - The authors or sponsors of the content should make the intention and purpose for the source clear.
  2. Is the information labeled as fact or opinion?
    - Pay attention to the tone of the source, if a source discloses "Opinion" at the beginning, it was created for a different purpose than a scientific study that adhered to strict guidelines and rigorous fact checks.
  3. Is the information being sponsored by an outside source and is it influencing the author's opinion?
    - The purpose of an influencer's post on a new diet supplement might be to endorse a product the company paid them for, making the endorsement insincere. That same company could provide grant funding to a university to produce a peer-reviewed study on how individuals respond to different diet supplements. The study's purpose would be to see how the supplement compares to others, while the influencer created their post for their own profit.

Use It or Lose It?

What is the Purpose? Use It! 1) The reason "why "the source exists is clear - it is labeled as a research study or advertisement or article. 2) The authors or sponsors of the information make their intentions clear - to inform, persuade, defend. 3) Any benefit to the authors or sponsors is disclosed by the source or website. Lose It! 1) The purpose for the source is unclear - it is unlabeled and the "why" is ambiguous. 2) The tone of the source switches several times throughout the document and has no consistency. 3) Any ties or connections between the authors and the source material are hidden and unclear.

Helpful Scenarios

You are writing a paper on the pros and cons of cryptocurrency. Review the examples below and decide which articles best meet the criteria for purpose. Try to determine if the source's purpose is clear or misleading.

An article where the author is a big investor in cryptocurrency discussing the benefits of a cryptocurrency that he owns, like Doge Coin.

Misleading. While the article might be helpful, the author could benefit from your financial investments in his particular cryptocurrency.

A peer-reviewed study about the financial stability of cryptocurrency, published by an academic journal.

Clear purpose - the study must adhere to the peer-review standards of the publication, and disclose how they conducted their study and explain study's results.

An article written by a financial analyst breaking down the pros and cons of investing in cryptocurrency.

Clear purpose - the author is an expert in the financial field and presenting both sides of the argument for and against cryptocurrency.

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