Geometry

Vetting Sources
Research Question: What are some of the real world applications of geometric
transformations?
In the process of better understanding mathematics and how it helps to create meaning
in our personal lives, we have to seek out information. Therefore, it is important for us
to know when we have found true knowledge, and when we have found internet
garbage. Mathematics, maybe more so than any other discipline, is susceptible to
misrepresentation in books and on the internet.
Furthermore, in order to truly be educated consumers of information, we must
continually and effectively analyze and assess source documents provided to and by
us.
Practice following the steps below to develop your skills as a savvy consumer of
information.
Step 1:
Preliminary Research:
a. Look for key words, phrases, names, dates, ideas, concepts et cetera. At this
point you can do a basic Google or Wikipedia search

Step 2:
Take the information you gained from your preliminary research, and now investigate it in the
academic realm or on reputable websites.
a. Peer-reviewed academic databases
jstor.org
ebscohost
id:
password:
www.scholar.google.com
b. Published books
Go to the library!
Books.google.com

c. Newspapers, magazines, journals, etc.

***URLs can provide clues to authorship:

.comcompany
.eduacademic institution
.govgovernment agency
.milUS military site
.netnetwork of computers
.orgnonprofit organization
State supported sites (.IN.US)
Country-Specific Sites (.UK; .AU)
Personal Web pages
Step 3:
Complete the following questionnaire for two different sources. Then, synthesize your answers
into an overall evaluation of the source.
Source Number 1
Title:Transformations
Author(s):Sal Khan
Website/url:https://www.khanacademy.org/math/geometry-home/transformations
What is the purpose of the webpage or book?
To help you learn about and how to do transformations in Geometry.
What do you know about the author(s)? Their backgrounds? Expertise? Motivations? Other
published works? Contact information? Affiliations?
The author owns the site khanacademy.org which is a very reputable site for learning math.
How does the information on this site (in the book) compare to what you already know? Does
it seem credible? Are there sources cited? Is the information presented verifiable?
The source does seem credible and legitimate.
What was the last time this site was updated? Is the information current? How old is the
book?
I am not sure when the site was updated although I can assume the information is current due
to the credibility of the website.
Is it easy or difficult to navigate the website (or book)? Is the article (or book) well-written? Is
it a reputable website (or book)?
It is very easy to navigate and is a very reputable site.

Write 3 - 5 sentences of overall evaluation about this source:

This site does seem to be a credible source for learning math. It is a very credible site and I
have used it before in school. It has very good information and it is easy to navigate the site.
Source Number 2
Title:Transformations
Author(s):Rod Pierce
Website/url:https://www.mathsisfun.com/geometry/transformations.html
What is the purpose of the webpage or book?
To help you learn about transformations.
What do you know about the author(s)? Their backgrounds? Expertise? Motivations? Other
published works? Contact information? Affiliations?
I do not know anything about the author other than that he publishes work for this site.
How does the information on this site (in the book) compare to what you already know? Does
it seem credible? Are there sources cited? Is the information presented verifiable?
It does seem credible although it does not have that much information at all.
What was the last time this site was updated? Is the information current? How old is the
book?
It is not current information as it was last updated in 2013.
Is it easy or difficult to navigate the website (or book)? Is the article (or book) well-written? Is
it a reputable website (or book)?
It is not really a well developed site and I have never heard of this website before.

Write 3 - 5 sentences of overall evaluation about this source:

The site does not have much information and was last updated in 2013. Also, I have never
used or heard of this site or the author before so this site does not seem credible. The
website design also is not to great.