Evaluating Different Sources of Information Essay Example for Free

Evaluating Different Sources of Information Essay 1. Introduction With vast access to various types of information nowadays; it’s important to be able to distinguish truth and accuracy. The aim of this report is to evaluate the reliability of three different sources; a policy document, academic paper and newspaper articles in regards to space, place and culture. The objectives are to compare the listed sources through highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each source and to indicate when and how it might be appropriate to use them for a potential essay ‘The interaction between global and local processes in the creation of ‘places’. 2. What are Space, Place and Culture? Space and place can be seen as an absolute structure or as a social experience with meaning, these play key roles in our culture; this system of shared meaning based on everyday life is central to a sense of identity. 3. The Policy Document This policy document ‘Communities in control: Real people, real power’ is a government report based on policies or proposals of an issue. It discusses how local communities can be empowered through having more influence over local council policies and more access to information. 4.1. Advantages The policy document was written by academics and practitioners so the information is reliable; published by the Department for Communities and Local Government so we can assume that the information is accurate. Also, the document is clear, explicit and easy to understand which is important as it’s aimed at the general public. It was printed in July 2008 so it’s recent information. However, this indicates it’s from the previous government and changes have been made to policies due to recent budget cuts so may no longer be up to date but can still be significant when analysing the past. 4.2. Disadvantages However, the policy document may be politically biased because it’s a government document and also as stated on paragraph 58 page 12, ‘In developing the White Paper, we spoke to a wide range of stakeholders who fed their comments and suggestions into policy development.’ Therefore, it raises the question, who are these stakeholders and is their viewpoint biased? 4.3. How to use the source? In relation to the essay title, this policy document is useful when analysing a politically biased viewpoint and discussing the influence of political control on different groups of people. The Academic Paper Academic writing is writing done by scholars, devoted to topics and questions that are of interest to the academic community. This particular academic paper ‘A Global Sense of Place’ by Doreen Massey Taken from Space, Place and Gender (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1994) discusses how globalisation is such the norm that those who have control can flourish with it but many people are imprisoned by it due to capitalism or feel at lost for a sense of belonging or identity. 4.4. Advantages Academic papers are usually written by scholars who specialize in a particular field so information which usually consists of primary data can be considered to be accurate. In addition, its peer reviewed and scrutinized by other academics so is reliable. Massey makes reference to Marxist to support her argument and provides facts about different places in order to conceptualise the journal article. The intended audience is academics/students and is fairly easy to understand. 4.5. Disadvantages Journal articles take time to collect research; this was written in 1994 which can be disadvantageous in using for the essay as concepts may no longer be up to date. However, it can be significant when comparing historical information. It appears written as a personal journal entry for example when Massey states ‘a walk down Kilburn road, my local shopping centre.’ so it can seem biased. However, Massey explores different viewpoints in order to compare the ideas. Concepts can seem implicit as the reader needs to almost visualize their own perspective. 4.6. How to use the source? As journal articles are constructed on primary data and have been scrutinized by other academics it is the most reliable source. In relation to the essay title, it would be useful to use when building arguments of different perspectives and to compare with other theories. 4. Newspaper articles Guardian article, ‘Triumph of democracy’ by James Harkin, (2006) informs the public about how the residents of Dingle vote to keep the name of their town, emphasising being in favour of equality and universalism rather than ethnic identities. The other Guardian article, ‘Is Paddington the Big Society in action?’ by Saba Salman, (2011) informs of how Neil Johnston (PDT chief executive) and residents are helping fund and lead the regeneration of the area despite cut backs in government funds. With emphasis on how a strong community input is the back bone to surviving the cuts. 5.7. Advantages The Guardian newspaper is a reliable and popular newspaper; ‘triumph of democracy’ was written in 2006 and ‘Paddington the big society’ was written in 2011, so its current and as it’s aimed at the general public, the information is explicit and easy to understand. 5.8. Disadvantages Information is based on mainly secondary data so it’s not completely reliable, especially as journalists aren’t not required to cite sources so no evidence provided. These particular articles seem biased as it’s the journalist’s viewpoint and Neil Johnston’s viewpoint, and could also be based on newspaper owner’s political goal. 5.9. How to use the source? Newspaper articles are useful when signifying current affairs or comparing historical data. 5. Conclusion Overall, through evaluating the sources it can be suggested that the policy document is politically biased and currently invalid with the change in government. The newspaper articles can be scrutinised as data is second hand and it’s in a biased format. The academic paper has proved most reliable as it’s been peer reviewed and based on primary data, despite being written in 1994 the concepts are still relevant today. However, all sources provide  different concepts of ‘place’ and would be efficient to use to write the essay. 6. Bibliography Communities and Local Government Publications, (July 2008) ‘Communities in control: Real people, real power,’ Department for Communities and Local Government Harkin James, (2006) ‘Triumph of democracy,’ The Guardian Massey Doreen, (1994) ‘A Global sense of Place,’ Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, from Space, Place and Gender Salman Saba, (2011) ‘Is Paddington the big society in action?’ The Guardian

Times Have Changed Essay -- essays research papers

Times Have Changed Times have changed dramatically in the past thirty years. The style of living, the sizes of families, and education have all changed dramatically. During the fifties, sixties, and most of the early seventies teenagers were thinking about going off to war or starting a family. Very few teenagers coming out of high school were thinking about college. Slowly as times started to change, more and more people were going off to college. Today at the end of the nineties, very few people do not go off to college. Instead of high school students thinking about starting families or going off to war, they have a bigger decision to make. What college to attend. This decision will affect one's entire life; how they live, where they work, what size family they are going ...

Mathematics Is Useful

Mathematics Mathematics is Useful Mathematics can benefit everyone in any kind of way. Mathematics is also a necessity. From balancing a checkbook to a simple game of poker, you are using your math skills everywhere. As a cashier, I use my skills every time I go to work. Even though the machine does tell me what change to give back, and what is the total cost of all the products, I have to use my skills to count out the change.I also use my skills when marking down items, putting in coupons, and how much a bag of fruit or meat weighs. I am currently looking for a new phone for my phone plan I have now, I’m using my math skills to calculate how much my phone will be if I do a trade-in. Some more examples of how math is useful in everyday life are calculating a tip, using a recipe, playing pool, building a deck, and investing for retirement. Mathematics is Important Mathematics is essential for science, engineering, and research.Also mathematic proficiency is required for many j obs nowadays. Doing mathematics teaches patterns of problem-solving and insight that transfer to other knowledge domains. The career I chose is the Accounting field, and as you know, Accountants deal with money. Mathematics and accounting go hand in hand, though not as intertwined as people may believe. The purpose of having a strong mathematical background is to increase an accountant's cognitive ability.Many different accounting activities require the use mathematics or mathematical principles. Conclusion Understanding what math abilities are necessary can help individuals prepare for this business process. Accounting activities are full of basic and advanced calculations. These are often necessary to understand what information needs to go into a company's general ledger. Many calculations require basic math principles. Other times, however, many complex issues may require the use of multiple calculations.It is important to have basic math and algebra skills to complete these tas ks and report accurate financial information. References Chartier, T. (December 2012) Math is Everywhere: Applications of Finite Math Retrieved March 26, 2013 from https://www. udemy. com/math-is-everywhere-applications-of-finite-math/ Hobart D. (2007, February 21) What Is the Real Use of Mathematics In Real Life? Retrieved March 26, 2013 from http://www. blurtit. com/q806258. html

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