Information Evaluation

SIFT – Stop, Investigate Source, Find Better Coverage, Trace Claims

Related Concepts Authority & Credibility – How to Be Credible & Authoritative in Research, Speech & Writing; Citation Guide – Learn How to Cite Sources in Academic and Professional Writing; Research Deepfakes & Misinformation; The CRAAP Test –  Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose What is the SIFT Method? The SIFT Method, developed by Mike Caulfield (2019), a ...

a deep fake image of Putin speaking at the national mall in DC

Information Evaluation – How to Critically Evaluate Information

Information evaluation refers to the systematic process of assessing the credibility, relevance, and reliability of information sources. It is a critical skill for writers and researchers who must navigate an increasingly complex information landscape. In today’s world, misinformation spreads rapidly, not just through AI-generated content, but also via sophisticated disinformation campaigns orchestrated by state actors ...

The CRAAP Test –  Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose

The CRAAP Test refers to the acronym “CRAAP” – Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose (Blakeslee 2004). Educated, literate audiences consider the Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose of information when trying to evaluate its credibility and reliability. Currency Current research may reinforce or, alternatively, repudiate prior research. Human knowledge — Relevance Does the information directly ...

A screenshot of Donald Trump during the 2024 presidential debate, making a controversial statement about immigrants allegedly eating pets. The quote reads: "In Springfield, Ohio, they're (immigrants) eating the dogs... They're eating the cats." The image captures Trump's animated expression as he addresses the audience.

Evidence – The Heartbeat of Successful Communication

What is Evidence? Evidence is the heartbeat of effective communication, pumping life into arguments, claims, and ideas. It’s the information that communicators—writers, speakers, knowledge makers—use to support their assertions, illustrate points, and enhance credibility, particularly in academic, professional, and technical contexts. Trump argument illustrated below — “They’re (immigrants) eating the dogs… They’re eating the cats.” ...

News vs. Opinion – How to Distinguish News from Opinion

Research we do on the web and through library databases often leads us to content from newspapers, magazines, and news agencies (such as Reuters and the Associated Press). What all news content has in common is that it connects in some way to something that is in the news.

News content can be roughly divided into the categories of news and opinion. News articles attempt to provide information on a current event, while opinion pieces attempt to persuade readers to adopt a particular position on that event.

An opinion proposed as a fact on a Yahoo Finance forum regarding voter fraud

Facts vs. Opinion – How to Distinguish Facts from Opinion

Why is it important to avoid the use of unsupported opinions as evidence?*

  • Unsupported opinions can weaken the credibility of the writer because the reader may lose their trust in the writer.
  • Strong opinions may offend the reader, who may feel differently about the issue or have a personal connection to the opposing view.
  • Opinions without supporting evidence can compromise the strength and perceived validity of the paper’s argument because such opinions may overshadow other trustworthy evidence.