Learn to judge if a scientific evidence is trustworthy… with the Great Science Reliability Checker!

SUPPORTING GREAT SCIENTIFIC Enquiry

Reliability relates to the whether a sources of information is trustworthy. By checking for reliability we limit the risk of using information that is false or biased. This improves the accuracy of our analysis and conclusion building. The Great Science Reliability Checker supports pupils to discuss the trustworthiness of information they gather.

TIPS FOR Checking reliability:

• Explain to pupils that sometimes information can be presented in ways to try to persuade the reader of a certain viewpoint. This is often used in marketing products to improve sales or attention.

• Giving a judgement of reliability should include i) A decision about whether the information is or isn’t reliable; ii) A 'linking' word to link the decision and the reasons (e.g. because, due to, since, etc.), and 3) A reason for the decision.

  E.g. This source is very reliable because it was published in a peer-reviewed journal.