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The CRAAP Test: Evaluating Internet Resources

When researching for a project or paper, students often turn to the Internet first. A Google search yields myriad results, but are those results reliable? Is the information useful? Use the CRAAP Test to determine the validity of a web source to make sure the information is fact, not crap.

PRESENTATION OUTLINE

The CRAAP Test

Evaluating Internet Sources

How reliable is your information?

Google searching = information overload

Evaluating Websites:
https://youtu.be/aem3JahbXfk

Apply the CRAAP Test

  • Currency
  • Relevance
  • Authority
  • Accuracy
  • Purpose

Currency

Currency - the timeliness of the information
Photo by MichaelHyde

Currency

Currency - the timeliness of the information
Photo by MichaelHyde

Is an original copyright date provided?

Technology and medicine are time sensitive, rapidly changing and evolving. Resources should be no more than 3-5 years old.

Outdated Source:
http://www.vegsource.com/harris/b_cancer.htm
Photo by marcp_dmoz

Has the information been revised or updated?

Photo by thisisbossi

Check the Dates

Dates, copyrights & updates are usually at the bottom of the page
Photo by DafneCholet

Check the Links

Broken links or redirections are suspect

Relevance

Photo by Michael Dawes

Does the information relate to your topic?

Photo by jamjar

Is the information age appropriate?

Photo by breatheoutnow

Authority

Photo by Justin in SD

Who is the author?

Who is the publisher or sponsor?


What makes the author qualified or an expert on the topic?

Photo by Karen Roe

Is there contact information?

Author contact information may include phone numbers, mailing address, physical address, email, or other form of communication.
Photo by MISTER_BLACK

Check the Domain

  • .com = commercial website
  • .edu = college or university website
  • .gov = U.S. government website
  • .k12.us = public school website
  • .mil = U.S. military website
  • .net = network of computers
  • .org = organization or group
MYTH: Education, government, military & organization sites are ALWAYS reliable.

the Tilde ~

Denotes a personal website


Most blogs and other personal sites will have a tilde (~) before the author's name in the URL.
Photo by xadrian

Reduce the URL

to the original domain (www.abc.com)
Learn more about domains (.gov, .edu, etc.) below.
http://youtu.be/ognOAlWvu0Q

Photo by ntr23

What to Look for

  • About Me
  • Contact Us
  • FAQ Page
  • Mission Statement
  • Who We Are Page
Some sites have a tab with this information, while others post the About page at the bottom of the website.
Photo by Kalexanderson

Accuracy

Photo by tiffa130

Is the information supported by evidence?

Improbable Research;
http://www.improbable.com

Can you verify the information somewhere else?

Does the author provide references or sources for data or citations?

Photo by Kasaa

Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors?

Photo by cplong11

Purpose

Evaluating Purpose Video: https://vimeo.com/86743297

Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?

Photo by Kevan

Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?

Possible biased information: http://www.zip4tweens.com

Beef Nutrition:
http://www.beefnutrition.org

The Vegetarian Resource Group:
http://www.vrg.org

Propaganda:
http://www.naral.org
Photo by VCU Libraries

Who is the intended audience?

Photo by marfis75

Can you clearly identify the purpose of the information?

Photo by C. Vizzone

Remember PIE

PERSUADE - INFORM - ENTERTAIN
Photo by djwtwo

Persuade

  • Inflammatory language or tone
  • Marketing ploys - testimonials
  • Solicitation - donations, sales
  • Opinions rather than facts (no sources)
Photo by Nesster

Inform

  • Neutral language or tone
  • Professional layout/design
  • Facts, statistics, data
  • Case studies, experiments

Entertain

  • Emotionally charged language/tone
  • Recreational games, videos, content
  • Flashy graphics and animations
  • E-commerce - online sales, subscriptions
  • Littered with advertising
The Onion:
http://www.theonion.com

Dihydrogen Monoxide Research:
http://www.dhmo.org

Photo by Code Arachnid

Need more information?
Just ask me!

Photo by RichGrundy