Hi Everyone. These days it’s easier than ever to both find and spread misinformation. Don’t let this happen to you! There are a few easy questions you can ask yourself to determine if something you see on the internet is a good source of information. Ask yourself: is it CRAAP?
Currency: Check the date of publication. Is it suitable? Is it outdated?
Relevance: Determine how applicable the information is for your purpose(s). For what audience or purpose is the information written?
Authority: Who is the source’s author, creator, or publisher, and are they the most knowledgeable person about this topic or subject?
Accuracy: To determine the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the information; what indications do you see that the information is (or isn’t) well researched, or provides sufficient evidence? Is the language, imagery, and/or tone used appropriate?
Purpose: Why does the information exist? Why was this source written: to inform, entertain persuade? Also, how might the author’s affiliation affect the point of view, slant, or potential bias of the source?
When you consider if a post, article, or video is CRAAP, you are more likely to determine if the piece of information is, if not the most reliable source of information, at least a plausible source of information. You can then feel more confident in sharing your information.
Sources:
Determine Credibility (Evaluating): CRAAP (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose). (n.d.). Retrieved July 08, 2020, from https://guides.library.illinoisstate.edu/evaluating/craap
