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WGST 1A / CTW 1A: Critical Thinking & Writing (Wilson)

Evaluating Information

For the following exercise, work with a partner to answer the questions and write your answers in this padlet. Once everyone is finished, we will talk about your responses as a group.

1. Which of the following is a type of periodical? (Write down all that apply)

  • Academic/Scholarly Journal (ex: Journal of Psychology)
  • Book
  • Newspaper
  • Popular magazine (ex: Glamour, Sports Illustrated)

2. Traditionally, academic disciplines are broken down into three broad categories. Which category of disciplines relies upon recent information the most?

  • Humanities (ex: literature, music, philosophy)
  • Social Sciences (ex: communications, political science, psychology)
  • Sciences (ex: biology, computer science, physics)

3. When you read an academic article, you can be sure that the author is unbiased. Do you agree or disagree? Briefly explain your answer.

4. Which academic discipline(s) will address issues around body image?

  • Philosophy
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Women and Gender Studies
  • All of the above

5. Which statistical source would you trust most for data on sexual assaults/rape?

  • Sexual assaults at SCU (Santa Clara University) 
  • National Crime Victimization Survey (Bureau of Justice Statistics)
  • Rape Incidents reported by law enforcement agencies (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
  • All are reliable
  • None are reliable