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Research Process

Introduction to Evaluating Sources step

Evaluating Sources

ACT UP Method  

Evaluating Information: The CRAAP Method

 

Finding information isn't hard. Finding good information is a different story. How can you tell the good from the bad? Evaluate using the ACT UP Method.

Remember, by including a resource in your research, you are telling your professor you think this is good, valid information. Be sure to ACT UP on everything you come across.

 

Author
Who wrote the source? 

Google the author:

  • What other works have they written?
  • Who/what are they affiliated with and who pays them?
  • A conflict of interest is a bias
  • No author? Find a different source

 

What were their intentions?

Does their writing:

  • Educate?
  • Persuade?
  • Sell a product/idea?

 

Currency

When was the source published?

Do you need the most up-to-date resources?

Does the publication date fit your assignment or professors date range?

 

When was the website updated last?

Is the website transparent about its updates?

If it has been over a year since the last update, find another source.

 

Truth

Is your source accurate?

Look for:

  • Typos and spelling mistakes
  • Major grammatical errors
  • Verifiable claims
  • ​​​​​​​language that is appropriate for the discipline

Be sure you can back claims up with at least three sources.

 

Remember:

A trusted journal/site can still contain misinformation, suspect research, and unverifiable claims.

 

Unbiased

Bias always exists

Consider:

  • Is the source impartial?
  • Is the author clear about their biases?
  • Who funded the research?
  • ​​​​​​​Are their any conflicts of interest?

 

We have biases

Consider:

  • Your viewpoint
  • Be aware of confirmation bias

 

Privilege

Publishing is a privileged field 

Ask yourself:

  • Are your sources only written by cishet white men?
  • Who is missing from the research?

 

Pay attention to the methodology

Ask yourself:

  • Who did and did not participate?
  • Can the research represent a general population?

 

Look outside of scholarly articles

 

Consider:

  • Books
  • Blogs
  • Zines
  • ​​​​​​​Open Access Journals 

 

Look inward

Ask yourself:

  • What are your privileges?
  • How many have access to the resources you are using?
  • Are your sources gated by a paywall?
  • Do you need to be a part of an academic organization to utilize your sources?

 

The ACT UP Method was developed by Dawn Stahura at Salem State University.

 

Credit for Page

This page was created by Magen Nosworthy (Fall 2018 ENGL 489)