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EDUC 250: Building Trust: Education in Global Perspective

A Library Course Guide for EDUC 250: Building Trust: Education in Global Perspective

Source Evaluation Techniques

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  • Is the information current or out of date for your topic?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.  
 
Source: Who or what is the source?
  • Where does the story come from?
  • Is it a reputable news outlet?
  • If the source is unclear, be skeptical about the story.  
  • Make sure it's a source you can trust - e.g. a newspaper with good fact checking.
Motive: Why do they say so?  
  • Do they have a special interest or particular point of view that may cause them to slant information to suit their beliefs or causes?
  • Biased sources can be accurate, but you need to check them carefully.
  • Get all sides to a story.  
     
Authority: Who wrote the Story?
  • What are the author's credentials?
  • Is the person reporting the story an eyewitness or is he/she interviewing an eyewitness?  Remember eyewitnesses can be wrong.  
  • Be wary of any source that is repeating hearsay and rumors.
  • Make sure it's a source you can trust - e.g. an expert on the subject, a journalist reporting for a news outlet with a code of ethics, etc.  

Review: Go over the story carefully
  • Does it make sense? 
  • Is it logically consistent?  
  • Are there any notable errors in facts or conclusions?  
  • Make a list of questionable facts.  Develop questions about the story.

Two-source Test: Double check everything if possible
  • Talk to others or tune in to other newscasts to see if they are also reporting the same story.  
  • Research the subject in journal articles and newspapers, by interviewing others, and search online.  
  • Does your two-source test confirm or contradict the story?