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Research Questions: Evaluating a Website. Is it CRAP?

Is it CRAP?

The CRAP test is a way to evaluate a source based on the following criteria: Currency, Reliability, Authority and Purpose/Point of View.  Ask questions to help you think about how to measure each of the criteria.

Currency

Reliability

Authority

Purpose/Point of View

-- from LOEX 2008

 

Evaluating News

CURRENCY


          o How recent is the information?

          o How recently has the website been updated?

          o Is it current enough for your topic?

RELIABILITY


          o What kind of information is included in the resource?

          o Is content of the resource primarily opinion?  Is is balanced?

          o Does the creator provide references or sources for data or quotations?

AUTHORITY


          o Who is the creator or author?

          o What are the credentials?

          o Who is the published or sponsor?

          o Are they reputable?

          o What is the publisher's interest (if any) in this information?

          o Are there advertisements on the website?

PURPOSE/POINT OF VIEW


          o Is this fact or opinion?

          o Is it biased?

          o Is the creator/author trying to sell you something?

How reliable is Wikepedia?