Search Strategies

We live in a world replete with information on every conceivable topic and subject. According to multiple data analytic companies, including IBM and DOMO, we generate 2.5 quintillion bytes of data every day. However, with the openness and freedom of the web comes inconsistent levels of quality (accuracy, reliability). Anyone anywhere can post anything without fact-checking, and where opinion becomes fact. It becomes almost impossible to quickly determine what is truth and what is an "alternate fact."

Quantity and quality make it critical to sort through and carefully verify sources to ensure you are presenting information in papers, reports, and projects that is unbiased and credible. You want to be viewed as an expert and knowledgeable on the subject rather than being lead by hype and persuasion.

The CRAPP Test, devised by Molly Beestrum of Columbia College Chicago, provides a method for evaluating web-based resources. Think about some of these questions when deciding on resources for your project.

Currency

• How recent is the information? Was it written in the last ____ (number) of years or when the event occurred?
• How recently was the website updated? Can you find a date for when the web page or site was created or updated?
• Is it current enough for your topic?

Reliability

• What kind of information is included on the website?
• Is the content verifiable fact? Or is it mostly opinion?
• Based on your research, is the information complete? Is it accurate?
• Does the author or creator provide sources for statistics, quotations, information?

Authority

• Who is the author?
• What are the author's credentials (education, affiliations, etc.)?
• Can you locate information about the author?
• Does the author or creator provide contact information?
• Who is the publisher or sponsor of the website?
• What is the publisher's domain extension (e.g., .com, .org, .edu etc.)
• Is the publisher or sponsor reputable?

Purpose or Point of View

• Is the information balanced? Unbiased? Fact or opinion?
• What is the intended purpose of the site (to sell something, persuade)?
• What is the domain (.gov, .com, .edu, .org)? How might that influence the site's purpose?
• Is there advertising on the site? What does the advertising support? How does it relate to the topic of the website?
• Who is the intended audience?
• Who benefits from reading/using the site?

The following resources are regarded as reputable fact-checking organizations. Links include organizations focusing on U.S. national news, specialty sites, and fact-checking sites outside of the U.S.