Year 9 Science · Unit 4 · Lesson 4

Evaluating Online Sources for Validity and Reliability

Foundation Worksheet

Name
Date
Class

Learning Goals

Warm Up

Sort it!

Write each signal from the pool into the correct box. Decide whether each one makes a web page more reliable or is a warning sign that it is less reliable.

Written by a named, qualified author Headline says "doctors are stunned" Links to studies you can check No author named anywhere A clear "last updated" date this year Crowded with "buy now" buttons Hosted on a health.gov.au address Promises a result that sounds too good to be true Other trusted sources agree with it Uses urgent, fearful wording

More Reliable

Warning Sign

Your Turn

Fill the gap

Choose the correct word from the word bank to complete each sentence. Two words will not be used.

valid reliable criteria bias corroboration clickbait domain popular slick

Online content is when its evidence and reasoning actually support the claim it makes. A source is when it is trustworthy and gives consistent, accurate information. To judge a page the same way every time, scientists use a clear set of tests called . A leaning that pushes content one way, often to sell or persuade, is called . Confirming a claim by checking it against other trusted, independent sources is called . A headline written to grab clicks by exaggerating or misleading is known as . The address of a site, such as .gov.au or .com, is its , which is one clue among several about who runs it.

Show What You Know

1. Give one signal that a web page is more reliable and one warning sign that it is less reliable. Explain why each one matters.

Recall 2 marks

2. Why is a large number of shares or likes NOT a good test of whether a claim is true? Give a specific reason.

Recall 2 marks

Wrap Up

In one sentence, what was the main idea of this lesson?

HSCScience · Year 9 Science · Unit 4 · Lesson 4 · Foundation Worksheet