I need to find a credible resource.
Answer
There are 2 tests you can use to determine if ANY information is reliable: the SMELL and CRAAP tests.
When doing research, remember that not all information is good information, especially in an online environment. Developed by librarians at California State University-Chico, the CRAAP Test is a handy checklist to use when evaluating a web resource (or ANY resource). The test provides a list of questions to ask yourself when deciding whether or not a source is reliable and credible enough to use in your academic research paper. CRAAP stands for
- Currency: the timeliness of the information
- Relevance: the importance of the information for your needs
- Authority: the source of the information
- Accuracy: the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content
- and Purpose: the reason the information exists.
The Internet is a powerful information tool. However, there are many websites that have inaccurate or questionable information. Now that you have used the CRAAP Test to find some sources online, try giving them the SMELL Test to be sure the information is trustworthy!
The SMELL test stands for
- Source: who is giving me this information?
- Motivation: why are they telling me this?
- Evidence: how are they supporting their statements?
- Logic: how did they come to their conclusions?
- and Left Out: what are they NOT telling me?
There is a Research Guide you can use to help you decide if a resource is credible. It is titled Finding Reliable Sources. It includes work sheets for the SMELL and CRAAP tests along with videos and additional information. In summary, "If it SMELLS like CRAAP, don't use it!" :-)