Communication

Combining two methods for evaluating sources can help researchers identify good sources.

Lateral Reading is a method used by experienced researchers and fact checkers. This involves primarily looking outside the source itself for the purpose of identifying whether the source is reputable.

The C.R.A.A.P. Test involves primarily looking inside the source for the purpose of answering questions related to its suitability for the purpose of the research project.

See below for more information on each of these methods for evaluating sources.

What is Lateral Reading?

Simply stated, lateral reading is a method of fact checking that involves evaluating a source by reading about it on other trustworthy sites.

The SIFT method (created by Mike Caulfield at Washington State University) provides a structured guideline to help lateral reading evaluation.

The four moves in SIFT are: Stop, Investigate the Source, Find Better Coverage, and Trace the original context.

     STOP

Ask yourself whether you know the website or the source of the information as well as the reputation of both the site/author and the claims made. If you don't, then use the remaining steps to gain better understanding of the information source you're evaluating.

As you progress through the other steps, return to STOP whenever you find yourself going off on tangents or getting overwhelmed in your fact-checking. STOP and remember your purpose!

Some questions to consider may include: What do you need from the source? What claims are being made? Are the claims verifiable?

     Investigate the Source

This step helps you know what your reading before you read it. It helps you know the expertise and agenda of the source. Get to know the expertise and agenda of the source by visiting other websites to see what you can find.

Some questions to consider may include: What are other sites/organizations saying about this source? Does this scholarly article have any corrections or retractions? Does it fall on the political spectrum? Could the information be influenced by funding agencies/individuals? Has it been investigated by fact-checkers?

     Find Better Coverage

When searching for information, it is a good practice to notice and scan other sources you find on the same question or topic. Some sources may be more reputable or may be more appropriate for your research topic.  Finding multiple sources can help identify the expert consensus.

Some questions to consider may include: What are other sites/organizations/experts saying about this topic? Does this source align with the expert consensus?

    Trace claims, quotes, and media back to the original context

Trace claims, quotes, and media back to their original source. The ability to refer to the original context provides insight into the accuracy of the version you saw.

Some questions to consider may include: What was edited out of the version you saw? What happened before or after? Does the version you saw accurately represent the original context?

For more information about SIFT and a free online mini-course see: SIFT (The Four Moves) by Mike Caulfield.

Websites

• Google the title of the website
• Check Wikipedia

Scholarly Articles

• Google the title of the article
• Check Retraction Watch

News Claims

• Google the claim
• Use information in the news source to trace back to the scholarly study

Using the C.R.A.A.P. Test to Evaluate Information

The C.R.A.A.P. Test is a way to evaluate information to decide if it is appropriate for your research.

When you search for information, you're going to find lots of it . . . but is it good information? You will have to determine that for yourself, and The CRAAP Test can help. The CRAAP Test is a list of questions to help you evaluate the information you find. Different criteria will be more or less important depending on your situation or need.

Currency – The timeliness of the information.

• When was the information published or posted?
• Has the information been revised or updated?
• Does my topic require current information, or will an older source work as well?
• For the Internet, are the links functional?

Relevance – The importance of the information for your needs.

• Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
• Who is the intended audience?
• Is the information at an appropriate level

Authority – The source of the information.

• Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
• What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?
• Is the author qualified to write on the topic?
• Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?
• For the Internet, does the URL reveal anything about the author or source? examples: .com .edu .gov .org .net

Accuracy – The reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content.

• Where does the information come from?
• Is the information supported by evidence?
• Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
• Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
• Does the language or tone seem unbiased and free of emotion?
• Are there spelling, grammar or typographical errors?

Purpose – The reason the information exists.

• What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain or persuade?
• Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
• Is the information fact, opinion or propaganda?
• Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
• Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases?

The CRAAP Test was developed by the Meriam Library at California State University, Chico.