← Issues in Technology

RADCAB - Authority

Checking who created the information and what makes them qualified to write it.

Part of: Investigating Issues in Technology — Module 16, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Using digital tools and conventions — Module 7

Understanding RADCAB - Authority in Issues in Technology

What it does: Authority is the A in RADCAB and comes fifth. This is exactly what the Authority check looks for. Authority checks who created the information and their qualifications. Checking how recent it is is Currency, not Authority. With no named author, you can't check their qualifications. File size isn't checked by Authority at all. Authority is all about checking who wrote it and their expertise. Checking for enough detail is Detail, not Authority.

Common mistakes: Price isn't checked by Authority - it checks who wrote it. File size isn't checked by Authority.

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Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Part 2 of 2) and word search (All modules).

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Learning
Duo
Does Authority check who wrote a source?
YesNo
Matches
Using an anonymous post with no author
↓
Fails Authority - no way to check credentials
Applying
Meanings
Term
Authority
Meaning
Checking who created the information and what makes them qualified to write it.
Practice
Authority: who wrote this and are they qualified?
Testing
Gaps
checks who wrote it
Check Answer
Spots
1Authority checks the price
2It checks who wrote it

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Quick Questions

1. Does Authority check who wrote a source?
A. Yes ✓
B. No
Authority checks who created the information and their qualifications.
2. Is Authority about checking how recent a source is?
A. Yes
B. No ✓
Checking how recent it is is Currency, not Authority.
3. An anonymous post with no author - strong authority?
A. No ✓
B. Yes
With no named author, you can't check their qualifications.
4. Does Authority check the file size of a source?
A. Yes
B. No ✓
File size isn't checked by Authority at all.
5. Should you check an author's qualifications before trusting a source?
A. Yes ✓
B. No
Authority is all about checking who wrote it and their expertise.

Match the Pairs

Authority → Checks who wrote the source and their qualifications
Article by a named expert → An example that passes the Authority check
The fifth RADCAB check → A = Authority
Who created the information → Authority check
Using an anonymous post with no author → Fails Authority - no way to check credentials
Checking publish date for Authority → That's not Authority - it checks who wrote it

Key Term

Authority
Checking who created the information and what makes them qualified to write it.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Authority checks who wrote it
Hint: Type the RADCAB check that looks at who created the information.
2. Check Authority before trusting it
Hint: Type the RADCAB check that looks at who created the information.
3. Authority means checking the author
Hint: Type the RADCAB check that looks at who created the information.
4. No named writer fails Authority
Hint: Type the RADCAB check that looks at who created the information.
5. Ask about Authority when researching
Hint: Type the RADCAB check that looks at who created the information.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Authority checks the price
B It checks who wrote it
C It checks qualifications
Line A — Price isn't checked by Authority - it checks who wrote it.
Question 2
A It checks the author
B It checks the file size
C It checks credentials
Line B — File size isn't checked by Authority.
Question 3
A Checks who created it
B Checks the topic fit
C Checks their credentials
Line B — Checking topic fit is Relevancy, not Authority.
Question 4
A Authority is check 5
B Checks the author
C Checks qualifications
D Checks the publish date
Line D — Checking the publish date is Currency, not Authority.
Question 5
A Authority checks who wrote it
B Experts often have authority
C Anonymous posts may lack it
D It checks credentials
E It checks the word count
Line E — Word count isn't checked by Authority.

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