The manager wants a decision
You have compared three sources. Your manager says, "So which one do I use, and is it safe to rely on?"
"The second one scored 4" is not an answer. A good answer gives a choice, the reasons and what to do next.
Key words
| Word | What it means |
|---|---|
| Recommend | say what you think should be done, and give reasons |
| Justify | give clear reasons that support your choice |
| Reliable | you can trust it to be right |
| Valid | it is right for your question and your system |
| Corroborate | check a claim against other sources |
| Currency | how up to date a source is |
| Bias | an unfair lean towards one side |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
By the end of this lesson
Note
I can recommend the best source, justify it with technical terms and say if I need more information.
Starter
Have a go
Starter
3 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.
A four part recommendation
| Part | What you write | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Choice | The source you recommend | Use the maker's current handbook |
| Because | Reasons, with the factors | It is reliable (tested), current (this year) and valid (the exact model) |
| But | The weak points | The maker sells it, so there is some bias |
| Action | What to do to be sure | Corroborate with the trade textbook, and ask a colleague |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
Actions that make a source safer to use
| Problem found | Action to recommend |
|---|---|
| Only one source | Find a second and a third, and corroborate |
| Author unknown | Look for the author's record, or use a named source instead |
| Old or wrong version | Find the current version, or the maker's latest page |
| Bias from a seller | Use it for facts and add an independent source |
| Not enough detail | Say more information is needed and where to look |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
Use the technical terms
Use exact words. Say a source is reliable, valid, current or biased, and say which factor you mean. Say "I will corroborate it with a second source."
A short answer with the right terms beats a long one without them.
Check
Have a go
Check
4 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.