BCOM 3300 - Exam #2 Question with Correct
Answers
Confirmation bias Correct Answer-a tendency to search for information
that supports our preconceptions and to ignore or distort contradictory
evidence
(When reading, researching, preparing to write, make effort to gather
info. from a range of reliable sources)
Egocentrism Correct Answer-the use of self-centered standards to
determine what to believe and what to reject
Sociocentrism Correct Answer-Involves the use of society-centered
standards.
What do egocentrism and sociocentrism have in common? Correct
Answer-They both have an "us versus them" relationship
Who determines if a source/message sender is credible? Correct
Answer-The receiver
Why do you need to give credit to your sources in written
communication? Correct Answer-To avoid getting sued or falsely
representing your company. By carefully and accurately citing your
external sources in the text and by documenting them at the end of your
paper you show your readers that you are serious about your subject,
your research, and the argument which you are making in your paper
,Define plagiarism Correct Answer-the practice of taking someone else's
work and representing it as your own
Why is it important to evaluate your sources? Correct Answer-Reliable
sources reflect the credibility of the message and the messenger.
How do you evaluate a source? Correct Answer-Run the CRAAP test on
all your sources/information
Currency - Does the date of publication meet your needs? Do you need
current information or history?
When was it published? For websites, when was the last
revision/update? Does your topic require the most current information?
1993 newspaper article on dating will not be helpful to your speech on
how to land a significant other.
1912 article the day after the Titanic sunk would be helpful
Relevance (Audience) - How well does it relate to your topic? Who is
the intended audience? Does this satisfy your information need? Is it
appropriate for your class or audience?
Authority - Who is the author? What are the author's credentials or
affiliations? Are they qualified to write on this topic?
e.g. Author of "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" got PhD
by correspondense. Gray received an unaccredited PhD degree by
correspondence in 1982 from Columbia Pacific University (CPU),
Accuracy (Validity) - Where does the information come from? Is the
information supported by evidence? Does the author cite their sources?
, Purpose (POV/Bias) - Is the purpose to inform, sell, entertain or
persuade the reader? Is the information fact, opinion or propaganda? Can
you identify any bias? Does the information promote a particular
viewpoint or seem to have an agenda?
What's the difference between analyzing and reading a document?
Correct Answer-Reading- Grasp the meaning, come away with a feeling,
get the main idea (mostly)
Analyzing- Pay close attention, come away with more recall of the facts,
be able to question or challenge the concepts
How does document design and organization impact understanding?
What are best practices or techniques? Correct Answer-- They matter
overall and on an individual level
- Use active rather than passive voice
- Be direct, clear, succinct rather than verbage
- Focus on content and application of content idea
What are general purposes in writing? Be able to identify them in
examples. Correct Answer-To inform, persuade, motivate, entertain,
facilitate interaction.
What are guidelines for adding emphasis in documents? Correct
Answer-do not use color, underline, bold or italics, etc. to emphasize
text importance- do not skip heading labels
Answers
Confirmation bias Correct Answer-a tendency to search for information
that supports our preconceptions and to ignore or distort contradictory
evidence
(When reading, researching, preparing to write, make effort to gather
info. from a range of reliable sources)
Egocentrism Correct Answer-the use of self-centered standards to
determine what to believe and what to reject
Sociocentrism Correct Answer-Involves the use of society-centered
standards.
What do egocentrism and sociocentrism have in common? Correct
Answer-They both have an "us versus them" relationship
Who determines if a source/message sender is credible? Correct
Answer-The receiver
Why do you need to give credit to your sources in written
communication? Correct Answer-To avoid getting sued or falsely
representing your company. By carefully and accurately citing your
external sources in the text and by documenting them at the end of your
paper you show your readers that you are serious about your subject,
your research, and the argument which you are making in your paper
,Define plagiarism Correct Answer-the practice of taking someone else's
work and representing it as your own
Why is it important to evaluate your sources? Correct Answer-Reliable
sources reflect the credibility of the message and the messenger.
How do you evaluate a source? Correct Answer-Run the CRAAP test on
all your sources/information
Currency - Does the date of publication meet your needs? Do you need
current information or history?
When was it published? For websites, when was the last
revision/update? Does your topic require the most current information?
1993 newspaper article on dating will not be helpful to your speech on
how to land a significant other.
1912 article the day after the Titanic sunk would be helpful
Relevance (Audience) - How well does it relate to your topic? Who is
the intended audience? Does this satisfy your information need? Is it
appropriate for your class or audience?
Authority - Who is the author? What are the author's credentials or
affiliations? Are they qualified to write on this topic?
e.g. Author of "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" got PhD
by correspondense. Gray received an unaccredited PhD degree by
correspondence in 1982 from Columbia Pacific University (CPU),
Accuracy (Validity) - Where does the information come from? Is the
information supported by evidence? Does the author cite their sources?
, Purpose (POV/Bias) - Is the purpose to inform, sell, entertain or
persuade the reader? Is the information fact, opinion or propaganda? Can
you identify any bias? Does the information promote a particular
viewpoint or seem to have an agenda?
What's the difference between analyzing and reading a document?
Correct Answer-Reading- Grasp the meaning, come away with a feeling,
get the main idea (mostly)
Analyzing- Pay close attention, come away with more recall of the facts,
be able to question or challenge the concepts
How does document design and organization impact understanding?
What are best practices or techniques? Correct Answer-- They matter
overall and on an individual level
- Use active rather than passive voice
- Be direct, clear, succinct rather than verbage
- Focus on content and application of content idea
What are general purposes in writing? Be able to identify them in
examples. Correct Answer-To inform, persuade, motivate, entertain,
facilitate interaction.
What are guidelines for adding emphasis in documents? Correct
Answer-do not use color, underline, bold or italics, etc. to emphasize
text importance- do not skip heading labels
