Melpar

Article summary

Melpar was an American government contractor in the 20th century Cold War period. At a time when most employment in Washington, DC was directly by the US federal government, Melpar became an early private sector contracting company training a high technology workforce in the area.

Key claims

1. date of formation: 1962 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
2. date of foundation: 1869 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
3. employees: 6,000 employees — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
4. employees: 1300 employees — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
5. employees: 1,500 employees — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95

Discussion questions

1. Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
2. The record states that the date of formation is "1962". What evidence would count against this claim?
3. The record states that the date of foundation is "1869". What evidence would count against this claim?
4. The record states that the employees is "6,000 employees". What evidence would count against this claim?
5. The record states that the employees is "1300 employees". What evidence would count against this claim?
6. The record states that the employees is "1,500 employees". What evidence would count against this claim?
7. Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
8. If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?

Bibliography

1. Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1356928521