CRAP Test
With so much information out there, how do you know if you are getting good information? One way is by insuring it passes the C.R.A.A.P. test.
Here is a handy acronym to help you determine if a source may be CRAP.
- CURRENCY: How recently was this information published/posted? Can you find a publication date?
- RELIABILITY: Is the information supported by evidence? Can it be confirmed by other sources?
- AUTHORITY: Who wrote the information - are they an expert or knowledgeable in their field? (i.e. For health information, did a doctor or nurse write it?)
- PURPOSE / POINT OF VIEW: Why was it written? To sell something? To sway opinion? Is it biased toward a particular point of view?
Charles T. Jones Leadership Library. (2016, June 17). The CRAAP test [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLS1QPby1eI.
Information Disorder by Democracy Digest-August 2018
Counter influence strategies for combating disinformation
Although this report was written for a global audience in light of foreign interference in elections, students can use this information to develop strategies for identifying misinformation in research.
Evaluating Websites
Learn to employ a series of techniques and questions to determine if a website is to be trusted or not.
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Evaluating Web Pages: Techniques to Apply & Questions to AskLink will provide information on techniques to apply, as well as questions to help determine if a website will be useful or not.
Recognizing Online Propaganda, Bias, and Advertising
Sites and Tools for Fact Checking
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Factcheck.orgThis organization checks the factual accuracy of what is said by major U>S> political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases.
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SnopesThis highly regarded rumor analyzing site has been researching rumors since 1995.
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PolitifactPolitiFact staffers research statements and rate their accuracy on the Truth-O-Meter, from True to False. The most ridiculous falsehoods get the lowest rating, Pants on Fire.
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AllSidesUnlike regular news services, AllSides exposes bias and provides multiple angles on the same story so you can quickly get the full picture, not just one slant.
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Media Bias/Fact CheckThe most comprehensive media bias resource on the internet. There are currently 900+ media sources listed in the database and growing every day. Don’t be fooled by Fake News sources.