HE263 Pantages

Great question. A "good" source is both credible and relevant.

Relevancy means the source helps you answer your questions, learn widely about your topic, and think about your topic in new ways.

Credibility, when applied to an information source, means trustworthy. Trustworthiness is tricky to determine, but doable! Pause and ask questions about your information resource, beyond just what is in your information resource. CCC Library recommends either of these tools to help you evaluate your information resources.

• The CRAP Test

• The SIFT Method

Ultimately it is up to you to determine — using research and your own critical judgment — whether a source is credible or not. And "credible" can mean something and look different to everyone. Your instructors expect you to use credible, authoritative information in your projects and papers, so be upfront and clear about why you trust the information you choose to use.

CCC Librarians are here to help you with this question, too. ♥

^{Abe adapted from public domain photo Abraham Lincoln [image]. (1863). Available from https://upload.wikimedia.org/}

Evaluating information is especially important when completing projects and assignments in college (and at work!) because you will be evaluated on the quality of sources you use. The CRAP Test is a helpful tool to use when deciding if a source is "good." CRAP stands for Currency, Reliability, Authority and Purpose / Point of View.

When you evaluate a source, consider these four concepts by asking yourself a few questions about each.

Currency

• When was the item originally written or created?
• How recently has the item been updated?
• Is the information current enough for your topic?

Reliability

• How important is it for you that this information is accurate?
• Are there Works Cited or References, informal citations, or links to outside sources? Are sources included for data, quotations, and images?
• Was the item reviewed by experts or people with relevant experience?
• Does this information have any characteristics of misinformation, disinformation, or fake news?
• Does the information seem accurate based on your existing knowledge of the subject?

Authority

• Who is the creator or author? What does it mean if you cannot identify the creator or author?
• What are their credentials? Can you find any information about the author's background, education, and/or experience?
• Who is the publisher, sponsor, or hosting website? Are they reputable? What is the publisher's interest (if any) in sharing this information? What is on their "About Us" page?

Purpose / Point of View

• Does the information help you answer your questions, learn widely about your topic, and / or think about your topic in new ways?
• Is the information fact or opinion?
• Can you identify bias in the article? Does the information amplify certain viewpoints or experiences? Does the information omit or misconstrue certain viewpoints or experiences?
• Is this information meant to educate you, persuade you, sell you something, and / or appeal to your emotions or values? If so, are these intentions clearly stated?
• Who is the intended audience for this information? How might the audience impact what is shared and how (e.g., does this resource require in-depth knowledge to understand)? Is this information intended for you and your information needs?

^{CRAP Test adapted from Beestrum, M., & Orenic, K. (2008). The CRAP test. Available from http://commons.emich.edu}

CRAP works for evaluating articles and websites. In class you will practice applying it to online sources listed below.

For this exercise your research topic is: "Does marijuana help people with chronic pain?"

• Group 1: Cannabis for Chronic Pain: Not Ready for Prime Time  |  The Best 5 Marijuana Strains for Chronic Pain Relief
• Group 2: Substitution of Marijuana for Opioids in a National Survey of US Adults  |  Cannabinoids for Chronic Pain: An Opioid Alternative?
• Group 3: Navigating Cannabis Options for Chronic Pain  |  Smoked Cannabis for Chronic Neuropathic Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial 
• Group 4: CBD Oil: All the Rage, But Is It Safe and Effective?  |  Cannabinoids in the Management of Difficult to Treat Pain
• Group 5: What Drives Patients to Use Medical Marijuana: Mostly Chronic Pain  |  Why do Most Patients Use Medical Marijuana? Chronic Pain 
• Group 6: Does CBD Oil Work for Chronic Pain Management?  |  Marijuana and Public Health

Evaluate information like a journalist

Evaluate information using The SIFT Method

The SIFT Method is specifically built to help you spot misinformation and disinformation. It is a set of four fact-checking strategies that guide you through quickly making a decision about whether or not a source is worthy of your attention and trust.

Evaluate information using The CRAP Test

The CRAP Test is a tool to guide you through deciding if a source meets your definition of credible. C.R.A.P. stands for Currency, Reliability, Authority and Purpose / Point of View.

Use fact-checking websites

CCC Librarians' recommendations are listed below.