Evaluation of Sources

Books:
CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN ADOPTION, ORPHANAGES AND FOSTERCARE
A Historical Handbook and Guide
Citation: Askeland, Lori. Children And Youth in Adoption, Orphanages and Fostercare
A Historical Handbook and Guide. Westport: Greenwood press, 2006. Print
1. Relevancy: This book is related to my topic. The information in the book can
be used as part of my research paper. I can use some of the points made
about adoption, foster care and the orphanage lives. Not specific to Kansas
Adoption though.
2. Accuracy: I dont feel there is any bias here. The information I am looking at
matches most other sources I have looked at. It is not state specific, its more
of an in general type of book.
3. Currency: The book is from 2006. There have been some changes since the
writing of this book. But it is just a guide and not necessarily a have to do
type of book. It is to give ideas about where to start and how to start.
4. Authority: Unable to find out what the authors profession was. She worked
with an Editor by the name of Marilyn Irvin Holt, she used to be a professor at
Emporia State University! I found this rather interesting.
5. Purpose: The purpose of this book is to guide users in the right direction. Also
provides information about adoption, foster care and orphanages and some
conditions children have been left in before these types of placements.
6. Rating: I would give this source a 4 out of 5. The information provided gives
good incite to the foster/ adoption system. I can use some of this information
in my paper.
Special Needs Adoptions
Practice Issues
Citation: McRoy, Ruth. Special Needs Adoptions Practice Issues. New York: Garland
Publishing, 1999. Print
1. Relevancy: This book is relevant to my topic of special needs adoption. The
information in the books is intended to improve relationships with special
needs children and their new families. Some of the statistical data can be
used to compare to todays statistics.
2. Accuracy: Some of the statistical data is outdated. I can still use this
information to use as a comparative to data today. The book is based solely
on research which will benefit my paper.
3. Currency: The information is not all current. Statistics are outdated but still
useful. Will need to research more current information from another source.
4. Authority: The author of this book is a Professor for Social Work. She is a
graduate of Boston College of Social work.

5. Purpose: The purpose of this book is to inform readers. It is intended to

improve services for children and families. The book is based only on
research.
6. Rating: I would give this book a 2.5 out of 5. I rate this because I think I will
have to look to other sources to make sure that the information is accurate.
This is a research book and that is what I am doing is research , so I feel that I
would need to double check to make sure stuff is correct before I relay it in
my paper.

Academic Articles:
The Children of Strangers
Citation: MacFARQUHAR, LARISSA. "The Children Of Strangers." New Yorker 91.22
(2015): 30-43. Academic Search Premier. Web.
1. Relevancy: Although the article is related to my topic, it is based on one
particular couples adoption. This specific couple adopted 20 children. Some
of the information could be used to relate to others whom want to adopt but
are low income as this couple was.
2. Accuracy: I believe for this couple the article is accurate. Each person is
different so all their stories will vary slightly from this particular couple. It
does prove that you dont have to be rich to adopt a child or children.
3. Currency: This article was written in response to the authors reading of a New
York Times Article. 8/3/2015 was the date on the NYT article. I believe the
information to be current.
4. Authority: This particular article does not have any authority. It seems that
she was a student writing in response to an article she had read. She also
shared many parts of the article.
5. Purpose: Inform readers about a couple who adopted many children. They
had very small fiancs but made sure that they loved these children
unconditionally. They adopted children nobody else wanted. They were the
problem children.
6. Rating: I give this article a 4 out of 5. Although I cannot use just this couples
story, it can be used to show that you dont have to be rich to adopt a child.
All children need homes and this couple adopted more than 22 unwanted
children!

PROMOTING THE ADOPTION OF SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN

Citation: Seaton, Barbara L. "Promoting The Adoption Of Special Needs Children."
Widener Law Journal 17.2 (2008): 469-488. Academic Search Premier. Web.
1. Relevancy: This article is very relevant. States a lot of information about what
a special needs adoption is. Also a lot of other great definitions and laws.

2. Accuracy: The information matches much of what I already know. I also did
some comparing to other sources and the information does match. Gives
background of special needs adoption and also some federal statues.
3. Currency: The information is from 2006. This is not the most current of the
information that I have been able to find. But for the most part it is still
current, only found minor differences that could be used to compare later
statistics to now.
4. Authority: This article is from a law Journal. Widener Law Journal updated on
February 1, 2008.
5. Purpose: To inform readers what a special needs adoption is and how it takes
place. Also talks about services provided to those who adopt. Whether it be
financial support or social service assistance.
6. Rating: I would give this article a 3 out of 5. This being because it is not
specific to the state of Kansas. I am specifically researching Kansas laws on
adoptions.

Websites:
https://www.adoptkskids.org/
1. Relevancy: This website is all about Kansas adoption. I would say this is the
most relevant source I have been able to find. The information provided is
state specific.
2. Accuracy: This site is very accurate. It is updated daily with information. Also
links to find information you need to adopt.
3. Currency: The site is updated daily. It is kept up to date with adoption
information for Kansas children. Also links to becoming an adoptive parent or
foster parents.
4. Authority: Ran by ST. Francis and other state adoption agencies in Kansas.
5. Purpose: To provide the most accurate adoption information. To show contacts
if youre interested in adoption. Also shows current Kansas Children that are
available for adoption.
6. Rating: 4.5 out of 5. I would have rated a 5 but I find it a little sad to see the
faces of the children online. To me I would remove that link because it
reminds me of exploitation. I wouldnt want my childs face plastered online if
I was a biological parent.
http://www.adoptuskids.org/for-families/state-adoption-and-foster-careinformation/kansas
1. Relevancy: I feel this site is relevant. Many links to finding information. First
source that had options for same sex couple adoptions.
2. Accuracy: The information seemed to be accurate based on comparison with
the adopt Kansas kids website. Updated frequently
3. Currency: Up to date requirements for fostering and adoption licenses. Links
to join current adoptions discussions and q&as.

4. Authority: Kept up by state agency

5. Purpose: Inform and provide assistance to those looking to foster or adopt.
Answer questions people may have about adoption.
6. 5 out of 5. There was a lot of links to useful information for my topic.