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Journalism: Real or Fake Information?

CRAAP Test - Evaluating Your Resources

Currency : the timeliness of the information

  • If relevant, when was the information gathered?
  • When was it posted?
  • When was it last revised?
  • Are links functional and up-to-date?
  • Is there evidence of newly added information or links?

Relevance : the uniqueness of the content and its importance for your needs.

  • What is the depth and breadth of the information presented?
  • Is the information unique?
  • Is it available elsewhere, in print or electronic format?
  • Could you find the same or better information in another source?
  • Who is the intended audience? Is this easily determined?
  • Does the site provide the information you need? Your overall assessment is important. Would you be comfortable using this source for a research paper?

Authority : the source of the information

  • Who is the author/creator/sponsor?
  • Are author's credentials listed?
  • Is the author a teacher or student of the topic? Does the author have a reputation?
  • Is there contact information, such as an e-mail address? Has the author published works in traditional formats?
  • Is the author affiliated with an organization? Does this organization appear to support or sponsor the page?

Accuracy: the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the information

  • Where does the information come from?
  • Are the original sources of information listed?
  • Can you verify any of the information in independent sources or from your own knowledge?
  • Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
  • Does the language or tone seem biased?
  • Are there spelling, grammar, or other typos?

Purpose : the presence of bias or prejudice

  • Are possible biases clearly stated?
  • Is advertising content vs. informational content easily distinguishable?
  • Are editorials clearly labeled?
  • Is the purpose of the page stated?
  • Is the purpose to: inform? teach? entertain? enlighten? sell? persuade?

Source - Meriam Library at California State University, Chico: http://www.csuchico.edu/lins/handouts/eval_websites.pdf

Subject Librarian

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Karen Southwell- FAMU
Contact:
Florida A & M University
510 Orr Drive, Suite 3200
Tallahassee, Florida 32307
(850) 412-5403

Timeliness/Currency - Limiting Results by Publication Date

Publication Date

All databases have a way to limit your search results by date.  Many have an advanced search feature where you can do it before the search is conducted. Some will have a menu (usually on the left side of the screen) with many ways to limit your search results, including a publication date limiter.