The CRAAP Test Video

Summary

This video, presented by Peirce College librarians, introduces the CRAAP Test, a method to evaluate the reliability of online information using five criteria: Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose. By applying these questions, students can determine if a source is credible for their research. The video uses a Wikipedia article on the Republican Party as an example, showing how it passes most CRAAP tests but fails the Authority test due to anonymous contributors. The video encourages viewers to consult the library for additional help with research.

Takeaways

• 🔍 The CRAAP Test is a method used to evaluate the reliability of online resources, focusing on Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose.
• 🗓️ Currency refers to whether the information is up-to-date and relevant to the current context of your research.
• 📚 Relevance involves assessing if the information answers your research question and if it adds value to your project.
• 👤 Authority examines who created the information, whether the authors are identifiable, and if they are qualified to write on the topic.
• ✅ Accuracy evaluates whether the information can be verified with other credible sources and if significant facts are omitted.
• 🎯 Purpose investigates why the website exists and whether the information is intended to inform, sell, entertain, or persuade.
• ❌ Wikipedia fails the Authority test since anyone can contribute to it, making it hard to verify the qualifications of the contributors.
• 📝 Even though Wikipedia contains many references, the lack of author transparency and possible bias reduces its reliability for serious research.
• 🔗 An example of a reliable source that passes the Authority test is an article from Vox, which provides identifiable authors and organizational credibility.
• 📞 Students can always contact the Peirce College Library for help with evaluating sources and conducting research.

Q & A

What is the main challenge students face when using Google for research?

Students often receive overwhelming results, making it difficult to determine which information is reliable and relevant.

What method is suggested to evaluate online resources?

The video suggests using the CRAAP Test to evaluate online resources for currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, and purpose.

What does 'currency' refer to in the CRAAP Test?

Currency refers to how timely the information is. You should ensure the resource is up-to-date and relevant to the topic you're researching.

How do you determine the relevance of an online resource?

Relevance is determined by whether the information directly addresses your research topic and if it adds value to your project.

Why is 'authority' important when evaluating a source?

Authority ensures that the information is created by a qualified and trustworthy author or organization. This is critical for determining the credibility of the content.

What are some indicators of a resource’s authority?

Indicators include clearly identified authors, their qualifications, and the organization sponsoring the information. Wikipedia articles often lack clear authority because the authors are not easily identifiable.

How can you verify the accuracy of a source?

You can verify accuracy by checking if the resource provides references or links to other reliable sources and whether you can cross-check the facts using additional materials.

What is the 'purpose' of a website according to the CRAAP Test?

The purpose refers to why the information exists. You need to assess if the site aims to inform, teach, sell, or entertain, and if the information is fact-based, opinionated, or biased.

Why is Wikipedia not considered a reliable source based on the CRAAP Test?

Wikipedia fails the authority criterion because the authors are not easily identifiable, and anyone can edit the articles, making it hard to verify the qualifications of the contributors.

How can the CRAAP Test help in choosing a better source?

The CRAAP Test helps by providing a structured way to evaluate a source’s reliability, ensuring that the information is current, relevant, created by an authoritative source, accurate, and fit for its intended purpose.