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Introduction
Introduction
These days, anyone can publish anything because of the Internet. According to Bernard Marr of Forbes (2018), more than trillions of data were created each day on the Internet. Along with it, misinformation and disinformation rise to a staggering degree like fake and misleading info.
Thus, we will provide information on how to evaluate different information sources, because anyone should be able to evaluate information.
Contents
Contents
- Types of Information Sources
- Evaluating Information (Using CRAAP Test)
- Similar Acronyms of Criteria
Types of Information Sources
Types of Information Sources
Students should learn to determine the type of information source. Whether an information source is primary, secondary, or tertiary, identifying the type helps us know the purpose of the content, and that’s why everyone should learn how to do it.
Primary Sources of Information
First, primary sources of information are original sources of information. They are raw information that isn’t influenced by interpretations or evaluations. Thus, they can serve as evidence (Muthumari, P., 2013).
According to Muthumari (2013), here are some examples of primary sources of information: artifacts, recordings (audio and video), diaries, interviews, peer-reviewed journal articles, letters, original documents (NSO birth certificate, marriage license), patents, speeches, survey research, artwork (paintings, sculptures, novels, poems), and website.
Secondary Sources of Information
If the primary sources are raw, the secondary sources of information already passed through the influence of the creator’s perception, interpretation, and assessment. Hence, they benefitted from the creator’s discernment. This includes commentaries and discussions of primary sources of information. And, according to Muthumari (2013), depending on the discipline or context, the definition of what secondary sources is may vary, such as journal articles, which can be considered a primary source in a different context. Here are some examples of secondary sources: commentaries, criticisms, biographical works, histories, and monographs (excluding fiction and autobiography).
Tertiary Sources of Information
Tertiary sources are collections of primary and secondary sources. Just like some blurry definitions between primary and secondary, a tertiary source can be considered a secondary source as well, depending on the context, such as Bibliographies, Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, Textbooks, Indexes, and Abstracts. Here are the other examples of tertiary information sources: Almanacs, Bibliography of Bibliographies, Chronologies, Directories, Manuals, and guidebooks (Muthumari, P., 2013).
Evaluating Information (Using CRAAP Test)
Evaluating Information (Using CRAAP Test)
Evaluating information and its source can help us assess its credibility and trustworthiness. One way to evaluate it is to know the type of information source as we have discussed above, but there are more ways to evaluate information in-depth, and below we will discuss the CRAAP Test.
Currency
It is the timeliness of the information. This is important consideration because what was written 50 years ago can be irrelevant for the current time. In terms of Currency criteria, we ask the following questions in the chart.
Relevance
This criterion considers the importance of the information for the subject of the research.
Authority
This criterion considers the source of the information.
Accuracy
This criterion considers the correctness of the content, which includes assessing its reliability and truthfulness.
Purpose
This criterion considers the purpose of the information.
Is it neutral? or are they any other intentions?
Some Similar Acronyms of Criteria
Some Similar Acronyms of Criteria
- Authority, Accuracy, Objectivity, Currency, and Coverage (AAOCC)
- Credibility (authority), Accuracy, Reasonableness, Support (CARS)
- Rationale, Authority, Date, Accuracy, Relevance (RADAR)
- Independent, Multiple sources quoted, Verified with evidence, Authoritative, Informed, Named Sources (IMVAIN)
BibliographyMuthumari, P. (2013). Utilization of traditional and electronic resources in higher education (Unpublished doctoral’s thesis). Alagappa University. doi:http://hdl.handle.net/10603/54320Research guides: Evaluating information sources: Evaluate your sources. (n.d.). Retrieved April 5, 2021, from https://libguides.usc.edu/evaluateHow to evaluate information Sources: Craap test. (n.d.). Retrieved April 12, 2021, from https://researchguides.njit.edu/evaluate/CRAAPEvaluating sources: The craap test. (n.d.). Retrieved April 12, 2021, from https://researchguides.ben.edu/source-evaluationEmamzadeh, A. (2020, January 31). What is the CRAAP test? Retrieved April 12, 2021, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/finding-new-home/202001/what-is-the-craap-test
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