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Information Literacy

To be information literate, a person must be able to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information. Information literate people are those who have learned how to learn.

The CRAAP Method

CURRENCY

  • Was it "published" recently enough?
  • Is the data from a recent enough study?

RELEVANCY

  • Is it directly related to your topic?
  • Is the academic level of the resource appropriate to your research?
  • Does it use scholarly or technical language?
  • Does it assume the reader is well educated in the discipline?
  • Is this something you would feel comfortable citing in your research?

AUTHORITY

  • Are they an authority in this field?
  • What makes them an authority?
  • Is there contact information to verify the information about the creator / author?
  • Is the journal an authority in the field?
  • Is the cite domain appropriate for its content and creator? (.edu, .gov, .mil, .org, .net, or .com)

ACCURACY

  • Is the information supported by evidence?
  • Are there citation or documentation to evidence?
  • Are there hyperlinks to other sites with evidence?
  • Is there an explanation of the research methodology?
  • Has the information been reviewed or refereed by editors or peers?

PURPOSE / PERSUASSION

  • Is there a stated purpose by the creator of the content?
  • The information is presented as fact. Not as opinion or propaganda?
  • Are various sides of an issue presented evenly?
  • The language is objective in tone? Not biased language?
  • No biases present? (political, religious, cultural, ideological, or personal)