Synthesize, Analyze,
Evaluate,
Validity & Reliability
LA.8.6.2.2
Cluster 4: Informational Text &
Research Process
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LA.8.6.1.1 The student will explain how text features
(e.g., charts, maps, diagrams, sub-headings, captions,
illustrations, graphs) aid the reader’s understanding.
LA.8.6.2.2 The student will assess, organize,
synthesize, and evaluate the validity and reliability of
information in text, using a variety of techniques by
examining several sources of information, including
both primary and secondary sources.
Content/focus
 Analyze/evaluate information
 Validity/reliability of information
 Synthesizes information (from multiple sources
and within text)
Definitions
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Analyze- examine in detail the text.
Evaluate- form an idea about the
passage, determine the significance.
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Synthesize- to combine all information
to create a new idea.
Cluster 4: Informational Text & Research Process
Source
Primary or Secondary
Type of Information
Questions to ask
about the Source
Almanac
Secondary
Facts, statistics, dates, &
current events.
Is it up to date?
Atlas
Secondary
Maps, geographical
information
Is it current and accurate?
Autobiography
Primary
An account of a person’s
life written by that person
Is it authentic?
Diary
Primary
A personal record of events
or reflections.
Why is this record important?
Do the observations seem
accurate?
Encyclopedia
Secondary
information arranged
alphabetically.
Is it current and complete?
Newspaper
Both
Daily publication containing
news & ads.
Is the writing objective or
biased? Are the quotes
authentic?
Speech
Primary
An oral presentation.
Is the content fact or
opinion?
Textbook
Secondary
Contains subject-area info.
for school use.
Is it up to date? Does it
represent facts or opinions?
World Wide Web
Both
System of connected
documents.
Is it objective? Is the site
linked to a legitimate source?
Literary Work
Primary
Original work of literature.
Is this an accurate version
or edition?
RELIABILITY & VALIDITY
RELIABILITY
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Reliability deals with the consistency of measurement
in research; dependable; trustworthy; a reliable
source of information
Reliability is the quality that guarantees us that we will
get similar results when conducting the same test on
the same population every time.
Consider this ruler…
RELIABILITY
Now compare this ruler…
With this one…
RELIABILITY
Each ruler will give the same answer each time…
But this one will be wrong each time…
RELIABILITY
Each ruler is reliable…
But reliability doesn‘t mean much when it is wrong…
RELIABILITY
So, not only do we require reliability…
We also need…
VALIDITY
Good Ruler
Bad Ruler
VALIDITY
Validity deals with the accuracy of the
measurement; quality;
the reality of the information
VALIDITY

Internal Validity questions if we are measuring what
we think we are measuring.

I am trying to determine if my students are learning the value
of service to the community, so I give a survey at the end of
the semester asking if they think will continue community
service during the summer. They all say they will. Whaddaya
think?
VALIDITY
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External Validity questions if we can generalize our
results to a larger population.
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
I find that students at School A have a higher average score in
reading than those in School B. Do you think we could
improve School B’s reading scores by having School A’s
teachers teach them?
If Italians tend to have a lower incidence of heart attacks
than Americans, would we expect Americans to decrease
their heart attacks if they followed an Italian diet.
VALIDITY
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Internal Validity: are we testing what we think we are.
External Validity: can generalize our results to a larger
or different population.
There are other types of validity that focus on specific
concerns researchers have concerning possible errors
of accuracy in their studies. The subject teeters on the
edge of philosophical debate about just how large a
threat these other concerns are. It is important, but
subject for more in-depth study.
RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY
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The Bottom Line:
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We need both reliability and validity in research to
insure that we have consistent, accurate answers to
our research questions.
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Research must reflect reality and without reliable,
valid data (which is interpreted correctly and
consistently) research is meaningless.
Friday’s Task
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Suppose I were to assign you to do a research paper
on which type of light bulb is the best.
At each table is a folder containing a variety of articles
and information
Your job is to select which bulb you would like to
defend as the best bulb.

Then determine which of the selected articles would best
support position.