SOCI 258: Immigrant Voices in Times of Fear

The CRAAP Test is a list of questions designed to help you evaluate the nature and value of the information that you find. Use these as you read articles or other information sources.

Currency: the timeliness of information

• When was the information published or posted? 

• Has the information been revised or updated? 

• Is the information current or out of date for your topic?

• Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?

Relevance: the importance of the information for your needs:

• Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?

• Who is the intended audience?

• Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?

• Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?

• Would you be comfortable citing this source in your research paper?

Authority: the source of the information

• Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor? 

• Are the author's organizational affiliations given? If yes, are they appropriate? (Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?) 

• What are the author's qualifications to write about the topic? 

• Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?

Accuracy: the reliability, truthfulness, and validity of the content

• Is the information supported by evidence? 

• Has the information been reviewed or refereed? 

• Can you verify any of the information in another source? 

• Does the language or tone seem unbiased/is it free of emotion? 

• Are there spelling or grammar errors, do links work? 

Purpose: the reason the information exists

• What is the purpose of the information? 

• Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?  

• Ιs the information a fact, an opinion or propaganda? 

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

The SMART Check is particularly helpful when evaluating news stories. 

Follow the steps below when reading a news source to determine if it’s believable/trustworthy.  

Scope/Source: 

• What is the scope of the article? 

• Does it cover the subject with enough depth and detail?

Motivation: 

• What is the purpose of the article? To inform? To sell you (an idea? a product?) 

Authority/Accuracy: 

• Who created the article? 

• What is/are the author(s)’ credentials? 

• Can the information be verified?

Relevance/Reliability: 

• Is the content relevant for your needs?

Timely: 

• Is the content current?

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Also, here are some questions to ask yourself about news sources (using Tom Rosenstiel at the American Press Institute) to help you assess the credibility of news items:

1. Type: What kind of content is this? Distinguishing between opinion pieces/editorials, news stories, and other types of items that pop up in the news, such as advertisements, is key to determining how and if they can be useful.

2. Source: Who and what are the sources cited and why should I believe them? If it's not clear where the author got their information, it's a red flag. Consider who the sources might be, too -- are they appropriate to speak to the subject at hand?

3. Evidence: What's the evidence and how was it vetted? Rosenstiel describes evidence as "the proof that the sources offer for what they know." More evidence is good, and credible news stories will be transparent about what their evidence is.

4. Interpretation: Is the main point of the piece proven by the evidence? Does the logic between the sources, evidence, and main point line up, or is the author speculating/jumping to their own conclusions?

5. Completeness: What's missing? Are important pieces of information left out without explanation? That's a problem.

6. Knowledge: Am I learning every day what I need? This one is less about individual sources, and more about you. Consider what questions you have about what you've read. Consider whether you understand an issue well enough to explain it to others. If not, read more.

(Adapted from: https://guides.library.vcu.edu/evaluate/news)