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Ready, Set, Research: An Introduction to the Research Process

This guide introduces users to fundamental steps in the research process

Evaluate Your Sources Using the CRAAP Test C is for Currency: When was the source published? Has it been updated? Is information recent enough for your topic? For your specific research question? R is for Relevancy: Does the source directly address your topic? Does it answer one or more of your research questions? Is it information you already have? The first A is for Authority: Who is the author/publisher? What are their qualifications? Education? Professional experience? What can you learn about them elsewhere? The second A is for Accuracy: Has the source been reviewed? By whom? Are claims evidence-based? Is this evidence cited? Can it be verified in other sources? P is for Purpose (and Point of View): Is the information objective or biased? Is the author relaying facts or trying to convince you of something? Do they have an agenda? How can you tell?

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Use Lateral Reading to Learn More About Your Sources

 

Lateral Reading

While applying the CRAAP Test to a Web site, that Web site isn't always the best place to answer questions concerning authority, accuracy, and point of view. You can not always trust what an author or organization says about themselves, and there are sites that may look very professional and credible that are actually promoting a certain agenda or viewpoint. 

If you are unfamiliar with a online source, it is good practice to open a new tab and perform a search on the author/organization providing the source. This process is called Lateral Reading. In addition to reading "down" the Web page in order to evaluate it, you open additional tabs and read "across" multiple pages to determine what others are saying about your potential source.

Subjects: Research Tips
Tags: how_to, howto, infographics, kathleen, research
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