The Internet may be a very effective source of information, as is well known, but it can also be a very untrustworthy source of information. In order to be sure, they are choosing reliable data, students and other researchers nowadays must learn how to assess resources using critical thinking techniques. One simple method to accomplish this is to use the CRAAP test.
Although there are numerous methods for assessing sources, the CRAAP test is the most straightforward to recall (for obvious reasons). Since the meaning of each letter is really significant, hopefully this technique will resonate with university students who will remember its humorous moniker.
Currency: Does the data you wish to utilize still make sense?
Although one would presume that any information published by renowned writers or by Ivy League universities like Harvard University, MIT, or the University of California at Berkeley is accurate, it is equally crucial to verify the publication date.
Consider the following example:
When Pluto was a planet, do you recall? Now what is it?
Relevance: Does the material you’ve found relate to the topic of your research?
One issue can be researched from a variety of angles. You want to make sure that you stay focused on the specific requirements of your research question.
Economics, agriculture, biology, genetics, chemistry, history, geography, sociology, and even the fashion aspect of farming can all be examined when conducting study on the subject.
Are you selecting a source that is pertinent to the question you are attempting to address?
Authority: Who is telling you this information?
Reputable newspapers, like The New York Times, are usually reliable sources, but not always!
Opinion pieces, for example, are just those opinions. Most major magazines and newspapers have these, and they aren’t necessarily backed up by facts or research. Be careful that what they are stating can be verified by other sources that have done studies to confirm these findings.
Consider who is responsible for the content, not just who the source of the information is.
Do you think the information is correct?
You need to take a minute to evaluate what you are reading. Even if the author sounds convincing and the information is published in a book, does it seem plausible?
For example:
The published book Zetetic Astronomy: Earth not a Globe! An Experimental Inquiry into the True Figure of the Earth: Proving it a Plane, without Axial or Orbital Motion and the Only Material World in the Universe! argues that the Earth is not rotating, but that it is on a plane (flat) and brings forth multiple arguments that justify this reasoning. There are websites that are dedicated to publishing materials and writing posts arguing that the Earth is flat. It all sounds very convincing, but science has proven this to be untrue. The world is indeed not flat. Be careful not to get sucked into false claims! Read contradictory evidence to ensure that your sources are correct.
Accuracy: Does this information make sense? Has peer review been done on it? Is there evidence to back up the information? Are the sources cited by the author? Are there any spelling or grammar mistakes?
Think about the implications of these considerations for the accuracy of a resource:
There are a lot of references to the usage of "they're" in emotional language and tone, and it is impossible to confirm the information elsewhere. Purpose: Why was this information created?
This can be a tricky one to investigate, but it is important to check who is responsible for this information. Do they have another motive to come to a particular conclusion?
What is a native ad? This could appear to be a research article, but in fact the author is being paid, or is in some way affiliated with the corporation that produces that product. They will have a huge bias in the information that they put out because they want you to support whatever it is they are promoting.
There are so many examples of this, but here is one example to show you what I mean:
Articles are sometimes written to promote specific products and are paid to do so. In this example Forbes magazine is promoting financial institutions, like Fidelity Investments by writing convincing articles about these products that sound like they are just opinion pieces.
To sum up…
Research is now published and available far more quickly than in the past. Due to the overwhelming amount of content available, publishers, websites, and authors are under growing pressure to release information more quickly. Students and researchers are forced to go through a vast number of untrustworthy books and papers as a result of this. Teachers can utilize this CRAAP test as a tool to assist students in locating trustworthy sources and then correctly and conveniently referencing them.