Day #2 - The CAARP Test to Evaluate Sources

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Day 2

The CAARP Test

How can you tell if a source is reliable?

Turn on the sound to hear a teacher talk you through the lesson!

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Guided Notes

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CAARP

How can you test if a source is credible? Use the CAARP Test!

C - Currency A – Authority A – AccuracyR - Relevancy P - Purpose

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CAARP

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Currency

Currency

• When was the info published or posted?
• Has it been revised or updated?
• Is the info current or out-of-date?
• Are the links functional?

Example 2: An older source might be helpful if you are researching the history of World War II.

Example 1: A current source is crucial if your research deals with the newest research on advances in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

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Authority

Authority

• Who is the author/publisher/sponsor?
• Are the author’s credentials, educational background, and/or organizational affiliations listed?
• Is the author/organization qualified to discuss the information in the article/book/webpage?

Tip: Can you find a way to contact the website? Are there names given for publishers, editors, or authors? If you do a google search for those people, what comes up? Are they real people?

Example: If you are writing a paper on the health risks of tattoos and body piercings, a doctor would have more authority than a website provided by a professional tattoo artist.

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Accuracy

Accuracy

• Where does the info come from?
• What are the author’s sources?
• Is the info supported by evidence?
• Can you verify the info in another source?
• Does the language seem unbiased and free from emotion?

Example: If I say, “Albert Einstein liked to wear tutus around the house and never clipped his toenails,” but I do not name the source of my evidence, how would you verify that my information is true?

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Relevancy

Relevancy

Does the information provided support their purpose as an organization or their argument? Does it answer a research question? If you want to utilize this source for evidence in your essay, does the information directly support your argument or answer your research question?

Example: A source detailing the history of video game consoles may not be relevant if you are looking for information on the effects of videos games on learning.

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Purpose

Purpose

• Why was this article/webpage written?
• Does the info attempt to inform? Teach?
• Sell? Entertain? Persuade?
• Does the author make his/her intentions or purpose clear?
• Is the info fact? Opinion? Propaganda?
• Does the point of view appear to be biased?

Example: If you looking for a website containing information on identity theft, keep in mind that some of the pages found might be trying to sell you identity theft protection.

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Types of Sources

What types of sources are out there?

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Primary Sources

Primary Sources

Primary sources are first person accounts of an event. These sources are the most reliable because they are personal accounts of what occurred and their experiences/feelings as it happened.

Examples of primary sources include: diary entries, photographs, speeches, letters, minutes of meetings, autobiographies, and personal interviews

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Secondary Sources

Secondary Sources

A secondary source of information is one that was created later by someone who did not experience first-hand or participate in the events. They comment upon, explain, or interpret primary sources.

Examples of secondary sources include: newspaper articles, biographies, and documentaries

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Tertiary Sources

Tertiary Sources

A tertiary source of information is an overview of a topic(s) by summarizing information gathered from other resources. They comment upon, explain, or interpret primary and secondary sources.

Examples of tertiary sources include: textbooks, encyclopedias, websites

Test a Website!

Use your knowledge of CAARP to test an article or website!

Is this source CURRENT? What date was it published? Does the date of publication matter for your topic? Does the author of this source have the AUTHORITY to write/speak on this topic? Does this source contain ACCURATE information? Can you find the same information elsewhere? Does the author cite his/her sources? Is this source RELEVANT? Does the evidence you wish to include from this source support your argument/topic? What is the PURPOSE of this information? Is it to persuade, inform, entertain, or sell something?