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A source evaluation may be a small part of a larger project or it may be a self-contained assignment. Use the source evaluation to demonstrate your understanding of how to judge the reliability of a source as well as its relevance to your paper.
For her assignment, student Ella Jackson chose to evaluate an online source related to the health benefits of eating organic foods. She used MLA citation style.
Ella Jackson
English 101: Composition
Professor Cosby
14 October 2015
Source Evaluation: Internet Source on the HealthBenefits of Eating Organic Foods
Watson, Stephanie.“Organic Food No More Nutritious than Conventionally Grown Food.” Harvard Health Blog, Harvard Medical School, 5 Sept. 2012, www.health.harvard.edu/blog/organic-food-no-more-nutritious-than-conventionally-grown-food-201209055264.
This source is directly related to my research question, “Is organic food healthier than nonorganic food?” It cites a report by Stanford University researchers, who found “very little difference in nutritional content” between organic and conventionally grown food. On the other hand, the same study showed that conventional produce had about one-third more pesticides than organic produce. According to this report, it is unknown whether the pesticide level in conventional foods, which meets current safety standards, may be more damaging to long-term health than the lower amount of pesticides found in organic foods. Perhaps another source can provide some insight into this question.
This source is highly reliable because it was published on a site sponsored by a well-known and highly regarded medical school (Harvard), and it includes evidence from another highly regarded school (Stanford). The author is not a medical expert, but she is an experienced medical journalist who has written and edited more than two dozen books and who served as the executive editor of Harvard Women’s Health Watch for two years.
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The language in the source seems balanced and unbiased. It does not take a strong stand on whether organics are worth the extra cost to consumers, instead stating that whether or not to buy organic food is a personal choice.
One potential problem with the source is its date. I will need to find out if more recent studies have disproven the results of the 2012 Stanford report.