Learning Objectives:
Use OneSearch and the library website to locate scholarly and credible sources.
Evaluate sources for bias, accessibility, and relevance to their assigned topic.
Select and justify resources that promote critical thinking and discussion.
Identify and access scholarly and credible online sources.
Apply media literacy skills to real-world wildlife issues.
“Wildlife Wonders – Real or Not?”
Headlines: Which One Is Fake?
"Elephants call each other by unique names, scientists discover."
"Linguists find that wild raccoons in Germany are developing distinct regional accents."
"Octopuses observed throwing shells at each other during fights."
"Orcas have been seen teaching their young how to hunt sharks."
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-024-02420-w
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0276482
https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/29/science/orca-hunts-whale-shark-video
next
Word cloud menti.com code : 6152 0937
Source 1 - NSO Journals
Source 2 - thefencepost.com
CRAAP Test for Wildlife Research
Use this checklist to evaluate whether a source is appropriate for your wildlife-related topic.
C = Currency
When was the source published or updated?
Is the research or data current enough for your topic?
For conservation status or population data, newer is better.
Are there more recent studies or findings available?
Are links and references still active?
Example: A 2023 journal article on climate impacts on polar bear migration is better than a 2008 blog post on the same topic.
R = Relevance
Does the information directly relate to your research question or topic?
Does it focus on the species, ecosystem, or issue you're studying?
Is it written at an appropriate level (not too technical or too general)?
Is it useful for informing or supporting class discussion?
Example: You're researching habitat loss in jaguars. An article about big cat conservation in South America is relevant; a piece about pet cats is not.
A = Authority
Who is the author or publisher?
Are they a scientist, wildlife biologist, conservation organization, or university?
Are credentials or affiliations listed?
Is the site a .edu, .gov, or .org (though still check for bias)?Is the source peer-reviewed, published by a university, government agency or reputable NGO?
Example: An article written by a researcher from WWF or published in the Journal of Wildlife Management is more credible than one from a travel blog.
A = Accuracy
Is the information supported by evidence?
Does the source cite other scientific studies or data?
Can you verify the claims from other reputable sources?
Is the language objective and free from errors?
Are there signs of bias, exaggeration, or emotional manipulation?
Example: A study that uses data from GPS collars and provides references to peer-reviewed sources is more accurate than one that just says “scientists believe…” without citations.
P = Purpose
Why was this source created?
Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain, or persuade?
Is there bias (e.g., pro-hunting, anti-zoo, overly activist, or commercial)?
Are both sides of a controversial wildlife issue presented?
Are there ads, sensational headlines or clickbait tactics?
Be cautious with sources that have an emotional or political agenda. These may still be useful, but you should note their bias when using them.
Bonus Questions for Wildlife Topics
Is the source species-specific, or does it generalize across animals?
Does it refer to peer-reviewed research or cite reputable organizations like IUCN, USFWS, or CITES?
Does it include primary data (e.g., field research) or just summarize others’ findings?