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ART 306: Greek & Roman Art

Is It CRAAP?

Infographic showing how to evaluate materials

How can you verify that the information you found is helpful?

The CRAAP method guides you in evaluating your sources according to 5 different criteria: CURRENCY, RELEVANCY, AUTHORITY, ACCURACY, and PURPOSE. Outlined below are the criteria; these can guide you in evaluating the sources you find for your presentation.

Currency

  • When was the information published or posted?
  • Has the information been revised or updated?
  • Is the information current or out-of-date for your topic?

Relevance

  • Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
  • Who is the intended audience?
  • Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?
  • Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use? 
  • Would you be comfortable using this source within your research?

Authority

  • Who is the author/publisher/sponsor?
  • Are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given?
    • What are those credentials or affiliations?
  • What are the author's qualifications to write on the topic?
  • Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?

Accuracy

  • Where does the information come from?
  • Is the information supported by evidence?
  • Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
  • Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
  • Does the language or tone seem unbiased and free of emotion?

Purpose

  • What is the purpose of the information? to inform? teach? sell? entertain? persuade?
  • Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
  • Is the information fact? opinion? propaganda?
  • Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
  • Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?

Annotated Bibliography

What is an annotated bibliography?

An annotated bibliography is a list of high-quality sources that you have found about your topic. It contains sources like books, articles, and documents that you have found about your research topic.

  • Each source is cited using a citation style (for example MLA, APA, Chicago, etc)
  • Each cited source in the list is followed by a brief "annotation": a paragraph usually about 150 words that describes and evaluates the source
  • Write annotations with your audience & purpose in mind:
    • To inform the reader of the relevance, accuracy, and quality of the sources cited
    • To remind you how to use the source to support your thesis in a larger, related research project

The process in a few easy steps:

  1. Read the assignment! Understand the rules that your instructor has provided
  2. Locate and record citations to books, periodicals, and documents that may contain useful information and ideas on your topic.
    1. Briefly examine and review the actual items. Then choose those works that provide a variety of perspectives on your topic.
  3. Cite the book, article, or document using the style your professor wants.
  4. Write a concise annotation that summarizes the central theme and scope of the material. Include one or more sentences that
    1. Evaluate the authority or background of the author
    2. Comment on the intended audience
    3. Compare or contrast this work with another you have cited, or
    4. Explain how this work illuminates your topic

Critically evaluating books, articles, or other types of information

For guidance in critically appraising and analyzing the sources for your bibliography, see How to Critically Evaluate Information. For information on an author's background and views, ask at the reference desk for help finding appropriate biographical and book review sources.