Challenging Fake News: Applying The CRAAP Test

There's so much information online these days!

Unfortunately, a lot of what you read online might be misinformation -- information that is inaccurate, false, or highly biased.

How can you trust the information you see on your screen?

The CRAAP test was designed to assess the reliability of online sources. It stands for:

Currency

Relevance

Authority

Accuracy

Purpose

Use the CRAAP test criteria to help you:

• avoid spreading misinformation

• create projects that readers and audiences can trust

You scroll through your Facebook feed and see a reposted article with the headline: "Crime Rising This Year".

You read through the story and decide to use it as a source for your presentation about public safety.

There's just one problem: the story is from two years ago.

The article is outdated so it doesn't have currency -- the information isn't recent so the situation has likely changed since the article was published.

Before you use the source, ask yourself:

When was it published?

What has changed since then?

There might be more useful, up-to-date information available.

Do:

• check the date of the article or page

• search Google News to find up-to-date information on the topic

Don't:

• rely on out-of-date material when fresh information is available

• discount older sources if they have the information you need

If your source is relevant to the topic, it should help you answer the main question of your project.

If the question is, "How can art change the world?" history websites and online art magazines are good places to start. See if you can find information about famous artists who had an effect on history.

It's also important to use sources appropriate for your audience's understanding of the topic. An academic paper might be too challenging for your peers. Find a source written for a more general audience instead, like an article from an online newspaper.

Do:

• use sources that help you gain knowledge of the subject

Don't:

• choose sources your audience will have trouble understanding

Everyone can have an opinion about a topic but not everyone has authority -- the knowledge and experience to provide reliable information about the topic.

photo from www.wizardingworld.com

To know if an author is an authority on an issue, do a Google search to find out how much the author has studied the topic.

It's also a good idea to research the organization who published the information. Does the organization have a reputation as a credible source of information?

Do:

• research your source's knowledge, experience, and reputation

Don't:

• assume your source is an authority on the topic just because they have a title like Dr.

Did you know that spaghetti grows on trees?

Before you say, "Hey! Wait a minute," you should know that this BBC film was made to warn audiences about the power of misinformation.

Of course spaghetti doesn't grow on trees! But a video like this one -- professionally produced with an authoritative voice -- can make you think otherwise.

To assess the accuracy of information, ask yourself:

Is there evidence to support this? Find data that confirms the claim.

Is this evidence peer reviewed? The data should be approved by other authoritative sources in the same field of study.

Do:

• look for evidence that supports your source's argument

Don't:

• assume that your source is trustworthy

While many news sources try to present objective information, others may have a different purpose. Watch out for:

• bias -- opinions that are strongly for or against an idea. Biased stories try to influence you to agree with their argument, so make sure you understand the author's intention.

• clickbait -- stories designed to catch your attention with sensational headlines. Here are some examples:

  Avoid deception! If you're unsure about a source's purpose, find more information about who produced this information. What's their agenda?

Do:

• be skeptical of sources that use emotional language

Don't:

• assume your source has no agenda

Think critically about the online sources you use. For your next research project, apply the CRAAP test by asking questions for each criteria:

Currency -- When was it written? Have things changed since then?

Relevance -- Does it help you find the answer to your main question? Is it appropriate for your audience?

Authority -- Is it written by experts on the topic?

Accuracy -- What evidence supports the author's argument?

Purpose -- Was it published to inform your understanding or influence your thinking?

Your audience will appreciate it!