A student is writing a research report for her science class about ideas for reducing head injuries in football. The student must use sources that are credible, trustworthy, and relevant for the topic.

Which of these is MOST LIKELY a credible and trustworthy source that is relevant for the topic?
A.

an article in a sports medicine journal about studies that have been done on practices that have lowered head injury rates
B.

a blog written by a football player who is not in favor of making changes to the rules or equipment of the sport
C
.

an entry in an online encyclopedia about the history of football and how head protection has changed over time
D.

a petition signed by 15,000 football players who want steps to be taken to reduce the number of head injuries in football

A.

an article in a sports medicine journal about studies that have been done on practices that have lowered head injury rates

The most likely credible and trustworthy source that is relevant for the topic would be A. An article in a sports medicine journal about studies that have been done on practices that have lowered head injury rates. This source indicates that the information is backed by research and comes from a reputable publication in the field of sports medicine.

The most likely credible and trustworthy source that is relevant to the topic of reducing head injuries in football is option A - an article in a sports medicine journal about studies that have been done on practices that have lowered head injury rates.

To determine the credibility and trustworthiness of a source, it is important to consider several factors:
1. Author expertise: A sports medicine journal is likely to feature articles written by experts in the field who have conducted in-depth research and studies related to the topic. This indicates that the information provided is likely to be reliable and based on scientific evidence.
2. Peer-review process: Journals usually employ a peer-review process, where experts in the field review and assess the quality and validity of the research before it gets published. This ensures that the information presented is rigorously evaluated for accuracy.
3. Relevance to the topic: Since the research report is focused on ideas for reducing head injuries in football, an article in a sports medicine journal that specifically discusses studies on practices that have lowered head injury rates directly aligns with the topic.

On the other hand, the other options are less likely to be credible and trustworthy sources:
- Option B, a blog written by a football player who is not in favor of making changes to the rules or equipment of the sport, lacks an objective or scientific viewpoint. It may contain personal biases and anecdotal evidence instead of verifiable facts.
- Option C, an entry in an online encyclopedia about the history of football and how head protection has changed over time, may be useful for background information but may not provide up-to-date or specific information on reducing head injuries in football.
- Option D, a petition signed by 15,000 football players who want steps to be taken to reduce the number of head injuries in football, while it shows support for the cause, may not necessarily provide evidence-based solutions or scientific facts.

Therefore, option A, an article in a sports medicine journal, is the most likely credible and trustworthy source that is relevant to the research topic.