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EN 202-02: Literature II: Evaluating Resources

Using Critical Thinking to Evaluate Sources

Think Critically!

The ability to think critically about information is essential to evaluating its reliability and relevance. Use the resources on this page to help you become a better news consumer and critical thinker as well as a good digital citizen! 

The C.R.A.A.P. Test - Check It Out!

The C.R.A.A.P. test is a great tool for evaluating resources - watch the video and use the attached quick reference guide.

Source: Wintec Library, Waikato Institute of Technology

C.R.A.A.P. Test Quick Guide

Media Literacy

Learning to create, assess and use various types of media is not just for the classroom, it's an everyday skill you'll use for life. Use the tools in our Media Literacy research guide to explore this topic in greater depth and build your knowledge!

What is a Credible Source?

As a university student, you are expected to use credible sources in your assessments and course work.  A credible source is one that is written by someone who is an expert in their discipline and is free of errors and bias. This video will help you get started.

Sources: USC Library, NC State Libraries

SIFT It

 

Learn to recognize misinformation using the SIFT assessment method developed by digital literacy expert Michael Caulfield, director of blended and online learning at Washington State University:

  • STOP and check for previous work: Look around to see if someone else has already fact-checked the claim or provided a synthesis of research conducted.
  • INVESTIGATE by going upstream to the source: Go “upstream” to the source of the claim. Since most web content is not original, you should backtrack to the original source of the assertion to understand the trustworthiness of the information.
  • FIND better coverage by reading laterally: Once you get to the source of a claim (book, article, photo, etc.), read what trusted sources say about it. Look for consensus amongst these sources.
  • TRACE the claim. Circle back to the original source and assess its context.

Click here for a tutorial on using the SIFT method.