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Evaluating Sources
CRAAP Method
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Evaluating Sources
Guide to understanding "scholarly sources" and evaluating academic quality.
Scholarly Conversation
Identify an Academic Book
Identify a Journal vs Magazine
The Peer-Review Process of Journals
Evaluation Criteria
CRAAP Method
ACT UP Method
ASPECT Method
News, Fake News, Bias, and Conspiracies
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Fake News and Bias
Conspiracies
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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)
Article or Website Evaluation Form
A checklist for students. It is used to evaluate websites and questionable articles. Easily attached to the back of papers and used to justify using questionable or non-peer reviewed articles and websites.
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