Environmental Science & Sciences Humaines - Evaluating Websites (Mrs. Cormack, Mme. Peleman)
The CRAP Test, developed by Molly Beestrum, is a helpful tool to use when trying to decide if a website is a credible, valid source. The CRAP Test looks at four major areas: currency, reliability, authority and purpose. When determining whether a website is credible or not, evaluate it on those four areas. Here are a few suggestions to help you think through your evaluation process.
Currency
Currency
- How recent is the information?
- How recently has the website been updated?
- Is it current enough for your topic?
- What kind of information is included in the resource?
- Is content of the resource primarily opinion? Is is balanced?
- Does the creator provide references or sources for data or quotations?
- Who is the creator or author?
- What are the credentials? Can you find any information about the author's background?
- Who is the published or sponsor?
- Are they reputable?
- What is the publisher's interest (if any) in this information?
- Are there advertisements on the website? If so, are they cleared marked?
- Is this fact or opinion? Does the author list sources or cite references?
- Is it biased? Does the author seem to be trying to push an agenda or particular side?
- Is the creator/author trying to sell you something? If so, is it clearly stated?
Verifying news stories (or sites you should get to know)
1. MediaBias/FactCheck: fact checks any website using the url web address.
2. FactCheck.org: monitors the accuracy of U.S. political stories.
3. PolitiFact: verifies political news stories.
4. Snopes: fact-checks Internet rumours and stories. This will determine whether that post your cousin shared on Facebook re: gun violence in America has any merit.
5. TruthorFiction.com: TruthOrFiction.com is one of the longest-running fact-checking sites.The website gives stories various ratings to reflect their reliability. These include ratings such as true, fiction, unknown, decontextualized, or variations thereof.
6. LeadStories: This lesser known website uses the Trendolizer search engine to monitor trending content—using these results to identify trending fake news. Depending on certain criteria, the site then debunks any trending hoaxes or false information using objective sources.
7. FullFact.org : A UK based fact checking site
Try Evaluating These Websites:
GenoChoice.com
GenoChoice gives parents the opportunity to genetically modify their future child’s DNA to prevent diseases and health issues. It’s essentially a service that allows parents to create the “perfect child.”
Dog Island
A beautiful sanctuary for our four-legged friends, Dog Island is home to 2,500 dogs. All are able to roam free and enjoy a peaceful life among their furry friends. With man-made caves as shelters, plenty of rabbits and other wildlife to feed on, and separate islands for dogs of similar sizes, families can send their dogs to Dog Island to live happily in this oasis, for free.
A beautiful sanctuary for our four-legged friends, Dog Island is home to 2,500 dogs. All are able to roam free and enjoy a peaceful life among their furry friends. With man-made caves as shelters, plenty of rabbits and other wildlife to feed on, and separate islands for dogs of similar sizes, families can send their dogs to Dog Island to live happily in this oasis, for free.
Mankato, Minnesota
Nestled in the heart of the midwest, Mankato Minnesota boasts itself as a “hidden vacation Mecca.” It sits on the “Sclare/Far Fissure,” which is a phenomenon that turns the air temperature to a 70 degree paradise…all year long
Nestled in the heart of the midwest, Mankato Minnesota boasts itself as a “hidden vacation Mecca.” It sits on the “Sclare/Far Fissure,” which is a phenomenon that turns the air temperature to a 70 degree paradise…all year long
All About Explorers
With many of the world’s most famous explorers featured, this site is easy for students to navigate, includes lesson plans for teachers, and information about the authors.
With many of the world’s most famous explorers featured, this site is easy for students to navigate, includes lesson plans for teachers, and information about the authors.
Try these techniques to do more efficient web searching (and cut out a lot of CRAP!)
