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IDT 8008: Principles of Instructional Technology

Evaluation Sources Discussion

What qualities and characteristics do YOU think are important when selecting sources for your assignments?
 

  • Which criteria do you think are important to decide how “trustworthy” or “reliable” a source is?
     
  • What tells you that you can trust someone or something, in general?
     
  • What specific qualities do you look for in a source?
     
  • Which criteria are important to decide whether a source is useful for your paper or assignment?
     
  • What tells you that an article is a relevant or good article?

CRAAP Test Video

CRAAP Test

The CRAAP Test is a helpful tool for deciding whether to use a source in your paper using five criteria: Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose.

C

Currency

When was it last published/posted, revised or updated?

Is the information current enough to be accurate?

R

Relevance

Does it relate to your topic or answer your question?

Who is the intended audience?

Is the language too technical or too simple?

A

Authority

Who is the author, publisher, source, or sponsor?

What are their credentials or affiliations?

Is the author qualified to write on the topic?

A

Accuracy

Where does the information come from?

Is it supported by evidence? Can you verify the claims?

Has it been reviewed or refereed?

P

Purpose

Why was this information created (e.g. inform, sell, etc.)?

Is the information fact, opinion, or propaganda?

Is the point of view impartial?

 

Media Bias

Ad Fontes Media - Media Bias Chart August 2022

Ad Fontes Media. (2022). Media bias chart [Infographic]. https://adfontesmedia.com/