Source Evaluation Checklist: Analysis of a UK Transportation Article

This assignment presents a source evaluation checklist applied to a news article from The Guardian regarding London's black cab drivers and Uber. The evaluation critically assesses the source's credibility, examining the author's credentials, the publisher's reputation, and potential biases. It also evaluates the currency of the information, considering its publication date and relevance to current trends in the UK transportation sector. The analysis further explores the point of view or perspective of the article, identifying the purpose and potential biases. Finally, it assesses the accuracy of the information presented, considering citations and references. The assignment concludes by weighing the impact of these factors on the reliability and usefulness of the source for academic work. The source is found to be somewhat credible due to the reputation of the news source, but lacking in specific author information and citations, which impacts its overall accuracy and reliability.

SOURCE EVALUATION CHECKLIST
Enter full source reference here:
Number of articles on transportation services has been searched on Google so that current
trends can be understand. Current chosen source is from authentic news provider in the UK. The full
citation of the document is: why london's black cab drivers are protesting over Uder, 2014. [Online].
Available through: <http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jun/11/why-london-taxi-
drivers-protesting-uber-tfl>. [Accessed on: 30 May, 2016]. It also provides information about the
Harvard referencing by effective evaluation of source.
CREDIBILITY:
Are there any credentials listed for the author/s? YES / NO
Yes
Is the author established? YES / NO / DON’T KNOW
Yes
Is the publisher scholarly and/or the publication peer reviewed? YES / NO
Yes
Based on this information about the author/s and publisher, how would you evaluate the credibility
of the source? In what ways might this matter? How would it influence your decision whether or
not to use this source and why? Where did you find/ find out about this source? How might this
influence your decision as to whether or not it is credible?
As per the detailed study, the guardian is considered as one of leading news publication
house. Organisation have its own authentic sources to gather information so article is specifically
covering credibility aspects. Information provided in the news head is appropriate and can be used to
understand current trends in UK transportation sector. Current articles renders information in regard
to perception of taxi drivers about technological up-gradation in the sector. In other aspect, the
source published is also useful for understanding the perception of taxi drivers. Information about
author has not been provided in the article that may cause credibility aspects in negative manner.
CURRENCY:
How recently was the source published/updated? 0 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 – 9 / 10+ years ago
It is published in year 2014.
Considering the focus of the source, do you think it is current or out of date?How would you
evaluate the impact of the currency of this particular source on the extent to which you might make
use of it in your academic work?

Article was published in year 2014 that means it meets the criteria of currency. In other
aspect, the detailing provided under article is properly updated and considered as contemporary
article that focuses on current work style of the transportation authorities and organisations in the
London. By accessing the information provided in the article provides effective consideration of
currency.
POINT OF VIEW (PERSPECTIVE) OR BIAS:
What was the purpose/intention of this source? To inform / persuade / entertain / ___To
inform__________
Does the author explicitly state / acknowledge their bias or perspective? YES / NO.
No
Is it easy to differentiate between the author’s point of view and ideas or claims that are supported
beyond the author’s point of view? YES / NO
NO
Given what you have identified about the perspective/bias in this source, how would you evaluate
the impact this might have on your decision to use this source and on the way that you might
choose to use it?
In addition to this, key purpose of the article was to create awareness among people in regard
to taxi services that are provided in London. It has identified that the people were facing critical issue
in regard to hiring of cabs in London. This was because black cab drivers in London were on strike.
Current articles exposes the reason behind strike and helps people to understanding perception of cab
drivers. However, the information provided in news head is biased because it was more in support of
Uber and transportation authority of London. Detailed information about cab driver and their issues
has not been discussed in the article. Current chosen source is not appropriate as it does not expose
detailing of the subject. It means the further sources need to be accessed in order to understand the
subject.
ACCURACY:
Is information presented as factual supported with citations? YES / NO
NO
Is there a references list, in which the citations all match with the relevant reference? YES / NO
NO
Is the source correct in its grammar and spelling, and free from typos? YES / NO'
Yes

How do your responses to the above 3 questions influence the extent to which you trust what this
source is telling you? (Why do they influence you in this way?)
Accuracy of information can be considered as optimistic because “The Guardian” is well
established news hub that provides information about various subjects. However, the citation and
references were not presented in the article that may influence accuracy issues. It was essential for
writer to provide detailing about sources from where information was gathered. Grammar and
spelling check were considered in appropriate manner. It has cut down the complexities of sentences
and allows people to understand subject in easy way. Information provided can be taken as useful or
trustful because the sources of news hub can not be wrong.