← Issues in Technology

RADCAB - Relevancy

Checking whether information actually relates to the question you are researching.

Part of: Investigating Issues in Technology — Module 20

Understanding RADCAB - Relevancy in Issues in Technology

What it does: Relevancy is the R in RADCAB and comes first. This is exactly what the Relevancy check looks for. Relevancy is all about matching your topic and question. Checking the author is Authority, not Relevancy. It doesn't match the topic, so it fails the Relevancy check. Checking the date is Currency, not Relevancy. Always check that a source fits your topic first. An on-topic article is relevant because it matches the topic.

Common mistakes: Relevancy checks if info matches your topic - it doesn't ignore it. Relevancy is about matching your topic, not file size.

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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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Learning
Duo
Does Relevancy check if info matches your topic?
YesNo
Matches
Using a cooking site for a maths project
↓
Fails Relevancy - it's off-topic
Applying
Meanings
Term
Relevancy
Meaning
Checking whether information actually relates to the question you are researching.
Practice
Relevancy: does the information match my topic?
Testing
Gaps
checks if info fits your topic
Check Answer
Spots
1Relevancy ignores your topic
2It checks if info fits

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Quick Questions

1. Does Relevancy check if info matches your topic?
A. Yes ✓
B. No
Relevancy is all about matching your topic and question.
2. Is Relevancy about checking the author's credentials?
A. Yes
B. No ✓
Checking the author is Authority, not Relevancy.
3. A cooking blog for a maths project - is it relevant?
A. No ✓
B. Yes
It doesn't match the topic, so it fails the Relevancy check.
4. Does Relevancy check when something was published?
A. No ✓
B. Yes
Checking the date is Currency, not Relevancy.
5. Should you check Relevancy before using a source?
A. No
B. Yes ✓
Always check that a source fits your topic first.

Match the Pairs

Relevancy → Checks if info fits your topic
On-topic article → An example that passes the Relevancy check
The first RADCAB check → R = Relevancy
Matches your research topic → Relevancy check
Using a cooking site for a maths project → Fails Relevancy - it's off-topic
Checking the author's job title for Relevancy → That's Authority, not Relevancy

Key Term

Relevancy
Checking whether information actually relates to the question you are researching.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Relevancy checks if info fits your topic
Hint: Type the RADCAB check that looks at whether info matches your topic.
2. Check Relevancy before using a source
Hint: Type the RADCAB check that looks at whether info matches your topic.
3. Relevancy means it matches your question
Hint: Type the RADCAB check that looks at whether info matches your topic.
4. Off-topic info fails the Relevancy test
Hint: Type the RADCAB check that looks at whether info matches your topic.
5. Ask about Relevancy first when researching
Hint: Type the RADCAB check that looks at whether info matches your topic.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Relevancy ignores your topic
B It checks if info fits
C It saves research time
Line A — Relevancy checks if info matches your topic - it doesn't ignore it.
Question 2
A Relevancy checks fit to topic
B It checks the file size
C It helps pick good sources
Line B — Relevancy is about matching your topic, not file size.
Question 3
A Relevancy asks does it fit
B A random site may not fit
C It always checks the author
Line C — Checking the author is Authority, not Relevancy.
Question 4
A Relevancy means totally true
B It checks the source fits
C It saves time researching
Line A — Relevancy checks fit to your topic, not whether it's totally true.
Question 5
A Relevancy is check 1 of 6
B It checks image quality
C It saves you research time
Line B — Relevancy isn't about image quality - that's a different check.

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