Lesson Plan: Conduct Ethical Research and Determine the Relevance of Source Material

Duration

30 Minutes

Year Level

Grade 11

Subject

English

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Understand the principles of ethical research.
• Identify relevant source materials for their research topics.
• Evaluate source credibility and relevance.

Resources

• Whiteboard and markers
• Access to digital devices (for research)
• Handouts with guidelines for ethical research
• A list of credible sources (books, journals, websites)

Introduction (5 minutes)

• Engage students with a brief discussion about the importance of using credible sources in research. Ask guiding questions:
  • Why is it important to conduct ethical research?
  • How can we determine if a source is credible or relevant?
• Introduce the lesson objectives.

Instructional Activities

Direct Instruction (10 minutes)

1. Ethical Research Principles:

   • Discuss the importance of integrity in research.
   • Explain the concepts of plagiarism and citing sources.
   • Emphasize the significance of using diverse perspectives to enrich research.

2. Evaluating Sources:

   • Introduce criteria for evaluating source relevance and credibility:
     • Authority (Who is the author? What are their credentials?)
     • Accuracy (Is the information supported by evidence?)
     • Purpose (What is the intent of the source? Is it biased?)
     • Currency (Is the information up-to-date?)
   • Provide examples of credible vs. non-credible sources.

Group Activity (10 minutes)

• Divide students into small groups and assign each group a different research topic.

• Each group will:

  • Conduct online research to find at least 2 credible sources.
  • Utilize the evaluation criteria discussed to assess the relevance of their sources.

• After 10 minutes, each group will share their findings with the class, explaining why they consider their sources credible and relevant.

Conclusion (5 minutes)

• Recap the importance of ethical research and evaluating sources.
• Ask students to reflect on what they learned during the lesson.
• Encourage students to implement these skills in their upcoming research projects.

Homework Assignment

Tasks

1. Choose a research topic of your choice and conduct a brief literature review. Find at least 3 credible sources that you plan to use.
2. For each source, provide a short paragraph (3-4 sentences) explaining why you believe the source is credible and relevant using the evaluation criteria discussed in class.
3. Prepare a reference list of your sources in APA format.

Correct Answers (Sample)

1. Source 1: Smith, J. (2020). The Impact of Social Media on Youth. Journal of Youth Studies, 15(2), 123-130.

   • This source is credible because the author is a well-known researcher in youth studies with numerous publications in this area (Authority). The information is supported by empirical data collected from a large sample of youth (Accuracy). The purpose of this study is to inform readers about potential impacts rather than to promote a specific agenda (Purpose). The article was published recently, ensuring that the information is current (Currency).

2. Source 2: Brown, L., & Taylor, K. (2021). Social Media and Mental Health: A Review. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/social-media-mental-health

   • This article is credible as it was written by experts in psychology and reviewed by peers (Authority). It includes recent studies and statistics to back up its claims (Accuracy). The intent is to provide a balanced review of the literature, making it unbiased (Purpose). The article was published within the last year, keeping it relevant and up-to-date (Currency).

3. Source 3: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2022). Mental Health Services in Australia: Key Trends. Retrieved from https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mental-health-services/mental-health-services-in-australia

   • This source is a government report, providing reliable statistics and information (Authority and Accuracy). The intention is to inform the public about mental health services, indicating a balanced approach (Purpose). The publication is recent, supporting its relevance (Currency).

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Teacher Notes

• Encourage students to engage in critical thinking and discussions during group activities.
• Provide support and guidance as needed during the research process.
• Remind students about the importance of academic integrity throughout their research.