Evaluating Information Sources: Print vs Web — CRAAP Framework

Print sources

• Print sources are material that has been printed and produced in hard copy.
• They are contrasted with web sources, which exist on the Internet.
• The CRAAP test provides a memory-aid for evaluating credibility across both print and web sources.

Web sources

• Web sources include anything on the Internet that contains high-quality information if you know where to look.
• Scholarly articles on the web are usually published in scholarly journals and may be peer‑reviewed to ensure relevance and accuracy.
• The CRAAP test can also be applied to web sources to assess reliability and usefulness.

The CRAAP Test (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose)

• A standardized memory device to evaluate information sources.
• Developed by the Meriam Library at California State University, Chico.
• Full form: C = Currency, R = Relevance, A = Authority, A = Accuracy, P = Purpose.
• Use: Analyze a source’s fit for your needs, whether print or web.

A. Currency: the timeliness of the information

• Key indicators of currency:
  • date of copyright
  • date of publication
  • date of revision or edition
  • dates of sources cited
  • date of patent or trademark
• Consider whether the information is current enough for your topic.
• For rapidly changing topics (e.g., technology, health), newer sources are often essential.

B. Relevance: the importance of the information for your needs

• Questions to ask:
  • Does the information relate to my topic or answer my question?
  • Who is the intended audience?
  • Is the information at an appropriate level for my needs (not too simple or too advanced)?
  • Have I consulted a variety of sources before deciding to use this one?
  • Would I be comfortable using this source for a college research paper?

C. Authority: source of information

• External indicators of knowledge or expertise include:
  • formal academic degree in a subject area
  • professional or work-related experience (business, government, agencies, etc.)
  • individuals with expertise in their field (e.g., athletes, professionals)
  • organizations, agencies, institutions, or corporations with active involvement in the subject area
• Evaluate who is responsible for the content and their qualifications.

D. Accuracy: reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the information

• Important aspects:
  • Are sources properly cited in text and listed in references?
  • Are quotations cited correctly and in context?
  • Are there exaggerations, omissions, or errors?
  • Relying on a single source can make errors harder to detect; use multiple sources to compare.
  • Analyzing different sources helps you understand the topic better.

E. Purpose: the reason the information exists

• Determine the intended audience to judge whether the information is too basic, too technical, too general, or just right.
• Consider whether the information is to inform, teach, sell, entertain, or persuade.
• Check whether the authors’ or sponsors’ intentions are clear and whether the content presents facts, opinions, or propaganda.
• Look for biases: political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal.

Example: government health information (DOH page)

• Authority: Official government department page (e.g., Department of Health) with clear institutional affiliation.
• Currency: Date-stamped updates (evolving information about health topics like COVID-19).
• Relevance: Topic-specific information relevant to public health; intended for a broad audience.
• The page content may include warnings that information can change over time; verify with the latest updates.
• Example from transcript: doh.gov.ph/2019-nCoV shows national health updates with figures and timestamps (as of 05 July 2020).
• Data example from the page: Global confirmed cases $11{,}125{,}245$ with $203{,}836$ new cases; Western Pacific region $223{,}915$ confirmed; new cases $2{,}121$.

Domain indicators and URL considerations

• Domain meanings (from Page 14 table):
  • .com = Commercial; business-related; general purposes
  • .gov = Government; federal agencies
  • .org = Nonprofit organizations
  • .edu = Educational institutions
  • .net = Network organizations
• Some notes from the transcript:
  • Domains can give cues about the source type and potential bias, but are not sufficient on their own to judge quality.
  • The table lists typical purposes and some restrictions associated with each domain category.

Domain-related questions to assess credibility

• For a given source, consider:
  • What is the domain suffix and what does it typically indicate about the source type?
  • Is the site personal, commercial, governmental, organizational, or educational?
  • Does the suffix align with the source’s stated purpose and sponsorship?

Source types and access (comparative overview)

• Print vs. Online / Open Web vs. Research Databases vs. Media types
• Print, non-fiction and print encyclopedias provide thorough treatment and background but may lag behind the latest updates.
• Print and online encyclopedias (e.g., Britannica) offer general information and a broad overview; not always scholarly.
• Newspapers (e.g., Times, Vogue, Manila Bulletin, Washington Post) provide news coverage; some are more general, others are specialized or opinion-based.
• Scholarly journals (peer-reviewed): Articles written by authorities; may be highly focused; often require access through libraries or databases.
• Research databases (e.g., EBSCOhost, Philippine E-journals): Texts with authoritative authors; access often restricted by username/password; favorable for scholarly work though passage selection can be challenging.
• Videos and webinars: Visual/interactive formats; can be useful for learners who benefit from multimedia; may or may not be peer-reviewed.
• Open web (e.g., Wikipedia, YouTube, blogs, social media): Large quantity of information; quality and authority vary; often less consistent in credibility; needs careful cross-checking.
• Open web examples listed: Wikipedia, YouTube, Blogger, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

Examples and recommended approach

• For credible assignments, prefer sources with clear authorship, verifiable citations, and publication venues that are appropriate to the topic (academic journals, government publications, or established publishers).
• Use the CRAAP test to screen both print and web sources; do not rely on a single source.
• When possible, corroborate facts with multiple sources and check for recent revisions or updates.

Quick reference checklist

• Currency: Is the information current and up-to-date for the topic? Are links functional?
• Relevance: Does it answer your question and fit the required level?
• Authority: Who is the author or sponsor? What are their credentials?
• Accuracy: Are claims supported by evidence? Are quotations accurate and in context? Any bias or errors?
• Purpose: What is the intention? Is it to inform, persuade, or sell? Is objectivity present?

Key takeaways

• Use print sources for depth and historical context; use web sources to access current information and diverse perspectives.
• Apply the CRAAP test (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose) to all sources to determine credibility.
• Pay attention to domain indicators and source type to gauge expected quality and potential biases.
• Cross-check information across multiple sources, especially when using open web material.
• Scholarly sources are valuable for research depth and credibility but may require library access; supplement with authoritative non-scholarly sources as needed for context and breadth.