Phase Four - Assessing Credibility

Do you remember the CRAAP Analysis (click the link for the handout) we discussed in class before Spring Break? This blog phase asks you to use that tool to compare the credibility of two different research sources.

Here are some detailed instructions for completing this phase:

1. Find two different types of research sources related to your topic. For example, one source could be an academic journal article found through the library's website and the other one could be a popular web-based article found through an internet search (don't forget about the 119 web sources beyond Google!). Or one source could be a popular magazine article and the other could be a media clip discussing your topic. Do not try to analyze entire books or extremely lengthy articles (say, more than ten pages).
2. Using the CRAAP tool, separately analyze the credibility of the two sources and write a paragraph or two for each source that summarizes your findings. Remember, the CRAAP test involves analyzing five different categories and each category has 3-5 questions that you need to answer. Some of the questions may require you to do additional internet research on the author, publication, etc. To earn full credit for this phase you need to be thorough.
3. End your post with a paragraph comparing the credibility of the two sources (remember the chart we wrote on the board in class?). Based on your analysis, which source seems more credible? Why? Remember, credibility is not an either/or issue (either it is credible or it isn't credible) but rather a continuum where the information may have stronger credibility in some areas and less in others. For this question, you want an overall comparison.
4. Finally, respond to the comment left on your blog by one of your classmates.

If you'd like to read an example CRAAP analysis that I wrote for another class, check it out here.

You must post Phase Four by Friday, March 22nd at 11:59 p.m. to earn credit.