The topic I have chosen for this assessment is whether or not following a Paleolithic diet is really good for us. The basis of the Paleolithic diet is that if our prehistoric hunter-gather ancestors didn’t eat it, that we shouldn’t either. The sources I have chosen to use include informational articles found at thepaleodiet.com (http://thepaleodiet.com/about-the-paleo-diet/), a Uwire text/article - (http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA364130430&v=2.1&u=swinburne1&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w&asid=c4d0f209e911ce4748ef9cf3946b329d), a YouTube video and its comments (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfLDioJzmIE), and a forum on Bodybuilding.com as another social source (http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/what-is-the-paleo-diet.html?page=1).

Thepaleodiet.com helped me learn more about learn about the health benefits of Paleo. I chose this source after a google search returned it as a result, and I was drawn to it as it appeared to be quite informational from its short description. This informational source is an example of constructivism through presenting information for the reader. At first glance this site came across as a potentially unreliable source – there was a presence of advertising. But further exploration started proving that this site was in fact reliable. According to Metzger (2007), credible online sources are ones in which we can identify the author and their credentials. In this case, the author is Ph.D. and professor of Health and Exercise Science. Information that is current, displays views that are facts and not opinions, and have other sources of information that can verify their accuracy may also be considered to be credible (Metzger, 2007), and I was able to tick off all of these criteria with this source. I would consider this a good source as it also provided a whole page of over fifty academic articles and sources to back up the author’s claims. The site is also graphic rich and engaging.
Similarly, through constructivism, the Uwire article I found helped me to assimilate and accommodate new knowledge. I initially selected this article as it was sourced through Swinburne Library, as I was looking for an article that was fact based. There are again references to benefits of eating Paleo, and comments from a registered dietician and nutritionist to back up the claims that the diet is in fact good for us. The article is current (2014), and appears to be objective, without the presence of anything to sell, and no hidden motive for it having been written, which as stated by Metzger (2007), are some of the signs of a credible source of information. Unfortunately the actual author’s name is not available, but I would consider this to be an academic source given the above reasons, and also that the publishers address and details are readily available. The source had an academic tone to the language used, and I learnt more about my topic through this articles simplistic and summarised layout of information which was backed up by Nutritionists and a Professor.
Another source I found was a YouTube video and its comments, entitled “Is the Paleo Diet Good or Bad? Paleo Diet & Weight Loss Explained”. I found this video through conducting a YouTube search on my topic and scrolling through result to looking a reliable source. This source is an example of Social Constructivism, as I have mainly focused on the comment of the video as a way of learning from social discussions. I was able to learn new information about the topic through the fairly lengthy social interactions in the comments. I found this helpful, and can see how knowledge is created through social constructivism as a result of social interaction. (Pritchard & Woollard 2010). In looking at the page, I learnt new information that somewhat altered what I thought I already knew (accommodation). Some of the ideas and theories of the Paleo diet were tested and challenged by those participating in the online discussion. I do however have some concerns about the credibility of this source. If we are to follow the Metzger (2007) guidelines of sourcing reliable online information, I would express concern about this social interaction being particularly reliable. Anyone with a YouTube account can contribute comments to the topic, and I was unable to establish who most of the authors were, nor could I find anything substantial to suggest that the information was anything more than opinions of the users.

I also chose to attempt to source more information about my topic through bodybuilding.com. I chose to search this site for information as it is populated with an enormous number of articles on nutrition, where I could utilise the social constructivism in the comments and discussions that follow the articles. In looking at the page and discussion, I did learn new information supporting the Paleo diet and how to do it, and the discussion by other users honed in on some finer details and tips. Metzger (2007) says, that a credible online source is one in which you can consider if the views represented are fact or opinion, where you can verify the author’s credentials, and where you can look for a stamp of approval for the information. This source was rich in information and discussion, but to use it academically I would have to really sieve though the discussion to find the comments that make reference to factual claims, or reference experts in their comments. I have found this source to be somewhat useful, but as per Metzger’s (2007) guidelines, it would be important to sort through this form of Social Constructionism and assess for accuracy, authority, objectivity, currency and scope of information.

I have found that there is no shortage of information sources available online. Some, better than others. My learning process throughout this exercise was certainly a huge metacognitive process, as I was constantly assessing how I was doing, if I was on the right track and whether I should move in a different direction or not (Metacognition 2004). I have found that in dealing with online informational sources, simply performing a Google search for your chosen topic will not necessarily net you credible sources of information. There are sites with agendas, making only sales pitches without fully backing their claims, and there are the mere opinions of people who think they are experts on topics. I found this to be the case particularly with Social Media, everyone has an opinion – but not everyone’s is right. If I were to use forms of social media as a reliable source, I would personally want to be sticking to Swinburne Group Discussions, for example, or other academic based social interactions. Without comprehensively sorting through online sources of information, it is easy to be led astray. By using Metzger’s (2007) model for evaluating online information, I was able to more effectively identify credible information.

References:
Metacognition – Thinking about thinking (2004, September 20). Retrieved from Holistic Education Network of Tasmania: http://www.hent.org/world/rss/files/metacognition.htm
Metzger, M. J. (2007). Making Sense of Credibility on the Web: Models for Evaluating Online Information and Recommendations. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 58(13), 2078-2091. Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.lib.swin.edu.au/ehost/detail/detail?sid=51274607-90c0-4ddf-be27-5e1051fc18c3%40sessionmgr112&vid=0&hid=127&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=bth&AN=27265558
Pritchard, A., & Woollard, J. (2010). Psychology for the Classroom. New York: Taylor and Francis e-Library. Retrieved from http://reader.eblib.com.au.ezproxy.lib.swin.edu.au/(S(jlx4b12t3k4ztqzxhdf3xbzk))/Reader.aspx?p=515360&o=132&u=WX9%2fNeavzf1H4AnKKZRLyw%3d%3d&t=1406948617&h=529425364923EDBC60208860129CA46342D2A10C&s=13852568&ut=405&pg=1&r=img&c=-1&pat=n&cms=-1