CRAP test

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/144545204@N05/36572717196/in/dateposted-public/" title="Sources"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4350/36572717196_e76a130368.jpg" width="376" height="276" alt="Sources"></a>**<big> Sources Level II: Passing the CRAP Test</big>** **Object of the game** To get **<big>as many points as possible</big>** by finding sources that are relevant for your assignments because they meet the **CRAP** test. **Rules** <ul><li>You **<big>must</big>** get the designated number and type of CRAP Test-approved source to complete each assignment. <li>You can make up to **<big>3 attempts</big>** to find each of the identified sources. <li>If you correctly identify a CRAP test-approved source on **<big>your first try</big>**, you **<big>get 5 points.**</big> <li>If you don’t find a credible, reliable, authoritative and objective source on your first try, you **<big>get 0 points.**</big> <li>As always, you gain **bonus points** for **<big>visiting the Research Help Desk**</big> and/or going to a <big>**one-to-one consultation** with your librarian or subject specialist.</big></li></ul> [[Let’s get started by reviewing the CRAP test …]] (set: $govdoc to 0) (set: $report to 0) (set: $website to 0) (set: $points to 0)

So what is the CRAP test anyway? Well, it’s a quick and easy “rule of thumb” for evaluating information … for deciding if the sources you find are good enough to use in your academic assignments. Here are the four criteria you use to assess information: **<big>C</big>** stands for currency: Is the information up-to-date or at least current enough for your assignment? **<big>R</big>** stands for reliable: Is the information trustworthy? <ul><li>Who is the **intended audience**? <li>Has the information been **peer reviewed?** <li>Does the author **cite sources?**</li></ul> **<big>A</big>** stands for authority: Who is the author and does he/she have the expertise and knowledge to disseminate information on this topic? And finally … **<big>P</big>** stands for point-of-view or bias (except CRAP sounds better than CRAB): What is the author’s perspective on the topic? Is the information fact, fiction or opinion? More about the CRAP test on the Carleton University website at www.library.carleton.ca (just search for CRAP test). [[Now we’re ready to search for our first CRAP-approved source]]

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/144545204@N05/41729363445/in/dateposted-public/" title="Summertime"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1729/41729363445_580e94e757.jpg" width="500" height="330" alt="Summertime"></a> **<big>Summertime, and living is easy </big>** … except you are taking summer courses and have to write a 10-page term paper. //Photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash// While you’d rather be playing ultimate Frisbee or snorkeling, you can handle this, **no worries.** All you have to do to get started is to find **3 sources** that are credible, reliable, authoritative and represent an objective point-of-view: <ul><li>A **<big>government document</big>** <li>An **<big>official report</big>** <li>A **<big>general website</big>**</li></ul> <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/144545204@N05/41982759434/in/dateposted-public/" title="CRAP collage"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1729/41982759434_6924df9ca3.jpg" width="500" height="165" alt="CRAP collage"></a> <big>**Now**</big> you are ready to [[search]]. Let’s say you are looking for a copy of the **//Indian Act// of Canada**. You put Indian Act in the search field and get the following results …

(set: $search to (prompt: "Your search terms:", "")) (if: $book <1)[Hummm … lots to choose from **<big> in these results.</big>** <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/144545204@N05/40885282300/in/dateposted-public/" title="Canadian flag"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1759/40885282300_826cf2472a.jpg" width="500" height="368" alt="Canadian flag"></a> // Photo by Cris DiNoto on Unsplash//. To get your **first source** and your **first 5 points**, click on the source you think is **one** of the **<big>three</big>** you have to find to complete your assignment: <ul><li>[[Indian Act, an entry in //The Canadian Encyclopedia//|govdoc1]]. <li>[[Indian Act, on the Justice Canada website|govdoc2]]. <li>[[And Indian Act, on Wikipedia.|govdoc3]]]</li></ul> **Which one do you choose?** <big>(Think C-R-A-P!)</big> and <big>**click**</big> on the source you think fits the **requirements** of your assignment.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/144545204@N05/41976839364/in/dateposted-public/" title="Indian Act CE"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1757/41976839364_68f355d026.jpg" width="500" height="280" alt="Indian Act CE"></a> http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/indian-act/ **<big>Botheration</big>** ... this might be good: <ul><li>//The Canadian Encyclopedia// is published by Historica Canada <li> the page was updated in 2017, so at least the information seems to be current.</li></ul> <big>**But**</big> … <ul><li>This is an overview or description of the legislation. <li>Plus, it’s hard to find information about the writer and the sources aren’t cited.</li></ul> So is it **reliable and authoritative?** And is it **objective or biased** in some way? **Try searching again** [[search]] or [[consult your subject specialist or librarian|consultation]]. (Hint, you get **bonus points** for a consultation).

**<big>Congratulations</big>**--You’ve got a government document that passes **the CRAP test!** <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/144545204@N05/40885767250/in/dateposted-public/" title="Justice Canada"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1742/40885767250_98118167d2.jpg" width="500" height="221" alt="Justice Canada"></a> This time your search results include a link to the //Indian Act// on the Justice Laws website (http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca). The link takes you to Indian Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. I-5): <ul><li>You know that R.S.C. stands for Revised Statutes of Canada; <li>And the legislation was last amended in December 2017 and is current to May 24, 2018 (i.e., it is the most recent version of the law). <li>Plus, you are aware that **Justice Canada is the federal department** that represents the Canadian government in legal matters.</li></ul> So, the information is <big>**current, reliable, authoritative and objective**</big>—this is the statute, not an interpretation of the legislation. <big>**Good choice**</big>. Now you just have to find **<big>two more sources</big>** to complete your essay proposal: An **official report**, a publication from a non-governmental organization <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/144545204@N05/27832015817/in/dateposted-public/" title="Official report 2"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1745/27832015817_3a76b4a596.jpg" width="330" height="330" alt="Official report 2"></a> and a ** general website**, a site that provides information related to your topic. <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/144545204@N05/41982656214/in/dateposted-public/" title="general website 2"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1757/41982656214_dd4afb56d6.jpg" width="325" height="325" alt="general website 2"></a> **<big>Keep track</big>** (set: $points to $points + 5) **Your score: **$points points (set: $govdoc to $govdoc + 1) **Your sources: ** Government document: $govdoc Official report: $report Blog: $blog [[Next]]

**<big>Hmmm … </big>** This source is not quite right. <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/144545204@N05/41977242824/in/dateposted-public/" title="Indian Act wikipedia"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1734/41977242824_b9b7102ef4.jpg" width="500" height="307" alt="Indian Act wikipedia"></a> While the //Indian Act// entry on Wikipedia has tons of information and citations at the bottom of the page, can you **identify** the **author or authors**? <big>**Nope**</big> … you have **no idea who wrote this article** and so have no idea what authority (knowledge, skill, expertise) they bring to the subject. Time to <big>**try searching**</big> [[search]] again!

<big>**Consultation**</big> You ask your <big>**subject specialist or librarian**</big> about the differences between **a government document** and **a general reference resource** such as an encyclopedia. <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/144545204@N05/39899657435/in/dateposted-public/" title="Keep calm 2"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4795/39899657435_e44c024242.jpg" width="500" height="343" alt="Keep calm 2"></a> Now you're ready to [[search]] again. Plus, you've got <big>** 5 bonus points**</big> for attending a **consultation**. (set: $points to $points +5)

It's 25 degrees outside, no humidity and lots of sunshine. Perfect for cycling on the Rideau Canal or grabbing a gelatto (yum, yum!). <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/144545204@N05/28827392168/in/dateposted-public/" title="Rideau Canal"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1746/28827392168_13df688d6d.jpg" width="500" height="360" alt="Rideau Canal"></a> But not yet ... not until ... you find the **2** other sources you need for this term paper: <ul><li>An <big>**official report**</big> <li>A <big>**general website**</big> related to your topic</li></ul> Sigh ... but **you're on it!** You decide to search for an official report, a document published by <big>**a non-governmental organization**</big> that gives information about a specific topic. And you are interested in information related to **homelessness in Canada**. <big>**Now**</big> you are ready to [[search|reportsearch]]. You search the Carleton University **catalogue** (just an old-fashioned word for database) rather than on the internet. After all, the library is supposed to have <big>**current, reliable, authoritative and objective**</big> materials, right? <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/144545204@N05/27841225487/in/dateposted-public/" title="MacOdrum"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1722/27841225487_25f47fee06.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="MacOdrum"></a>

(set: $search1 to (prompt: "Your search terms:", "")) (if: $report <1)[Wow. **<big>You've got some hits!</big>** <ul><li>[[//Toward equity and inclusion in Canadian cities: Lessons from critical praxis-oriented research//|report1]], edited by Fran Klodawsky, Janet Siltanen, and Caroline Andrew. Published by McGill-Queen's University Press in 2017. <li>[[//Homelessness partnering strategy//|report2]], by Patrick Hunter and published by Employment and Social Development Canada, 2017. <li>[[//A new direction: A framework for homelessness prevention//|report3]], by Stephen Gaetz and published by the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness Press in 2017.]</li></ul> Which one is the **right choice** for your paper? <big>**Click**</big> on the source you think is best.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/144545204@N05/41802171655/in/dateposted-public/" title="Report 1"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1744/41802171655_351abf85b3.jpg" width="237" height="347" alt="Report 1"></a> This is a <big>**CRAP-y source**</big>: <ul></li>The authors are academics (you can find information about them on the internet) <li>the book was recently published (so is probably up-to-date), and the publisher is a university press.</li></ul> <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/144545204@N05/42661340852/in/dateposted-public/" title="Coffee2"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1758/42661340852_bebae5ba0e_m.jpg" width="176" height="153" alt="Coffee2"></a> Plus, you’ll bet **a coffee** at the library coffee shop that the authors **cite their sources**. <big>**Only one problem**:</big> It’s a **book**, not an official report (i.e., not a report published by a non-governmental organization about a specific topic). Back to your [[search|reportsearch]].

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/144545204@N05/28827903098/in/dateposted-public/" title="Report 2"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1723/28827903098_de2916ee5d.jpg" width="500" height="222" alt="Report 2"></a> This is **definitely** a report on homelessness and fits with at least some of the CRAP test criteria: <ul><li>Again, published recently; <li>And the author is **an academic** (at least he has an advanced degree because he uses Dr. before his name), so you could assume he uses academic approaches to research.</li></ul> But when you look at the document: <ul><li> it seems to be a **slide show**; <li>and the author **doesn’t cite** any sources.</li></ul> So: <ul><li>the report seems to be **current and authoritative** but is it **reliable and objective?** <big>**Hard to tell**</big>. <li>Finally, the document is published by a government agency and you **already have** a government document.</li></ul> Maybe you need to visit the [[Research Help Desk]] (and get <big>**bonus points**</big>) in the Carleton University Library? Or it could be time to [[search|reportsearch]] again.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/144545204@N05/41802409185/in/dateposted-public/" title="Report3"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1750/41802409185_74a2c3f4bb.jpg" width="461" height="354" alt="Report3"></a> <big>**Bingo: This is a good choice**</big>. You **download the pdf version** of the report and discover that: <ul><li>The information is **current** (the report came out in 2017) <li> the authors are **credible** (they are Canadian scholars).</li></ul> In addition: <ul><li>the organization is a recognized centre of research; <li>and there is an <big>**extensive bibliography**</big> at the end.</li></ul> So now you’ve found <big>**2**</big> of the <big>**3**</big> sources your need: **Bravo!** All that is left is a **general website** that provides information related to your topic. <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/144545204@N05/41982656214/in/dateposted-public/" title="general website 2"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1757/41982656214_dd4afb56d6.jpg" width="325" height="325" alt="general website 2"></a> **<big>Keep track</big>** (set: $points to $points + 5) **Your score: **$points points (set: $report to $report + 1) **Your sources:** Government document: $govdoc Official report: $report Website: $website Go to [[Next|reportbravo]]

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/144545204@N05/25840472917/in/dateposted-public/" title="Research Help Desk"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4780/25840472917_a5931be153.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Research Help Desk"></a> Folks at the research help desk will help you decide if a report is **official or not**. If it is official, is it also a government document (i.e., published by government department or agency). Or is it official because it is published by a non-governmental organization? Whether you use a particular official report or not depends on <big>**the instructions for your assignment**</big>! Yeah, you've received <big>**5**</big> bonus points for visiting the help desk. Now go back to [[search|reportsearch]]. (set: $points to $points +5)

<big>**So**</big> they’ve just released the line-up for the summer blues festival—and it’s **a winner.** <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/144545204@N05/41802541945/in/dateposted-public/" title="Reportbravo"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1755/41802541945_ca8cd94d1c.jpg" width="500" height="459" alt="Reportbravo"></a> //Photo by Alex on Unsplash// And <big>**you will be too**</big> once you get the next and **last source** you need for your paper: <big>**A general website**</big> that has <big>**CRAP-y information**</big> related to Canadian public policy issues. <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/144545204@N05/41982656214/in/dateposted-public/" title="general website 2"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1757/41982656214_dd4afb56d6.jpg" width="325" height="325" alt="general website 2"></a> <big>**Now**</big> you are ready to <big>**go back**</big> to the internet (although you could also use the **library catalogue** too!): [[Search|websitesearch]].

(set: $search2 to (prompt: "Your search terms, please (double click OK):", "")) (if: $website <1)[Oh yeah, **<big>you've definitely found a website**</big> you can use for your paper! To get your **3rd** and **last required source** and **15 points** (or more if you had a consultation or went to the Research Help Desk), <big>**click**</big> on the source you think is **right**: <ul><li>[[Canadian Think Tanks from McGill University.|website1]] <li>[[//Canadian Public Policy// edited by Michael Veall.|website2]] <li>[[Public Policy Forum at www.ppforum.ca.|website3]]]</li></ul>

This is definitely a website, but **NOT** what you're looking for. <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/144545204@N05/42653312392/in/dateposted-public/" title="Website1a"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1721/42653312392_093c066e66.jpg" width="500" height="236" alt="Website1a"></a> Folks at the McGill Career Planning Service have uploaded this **list of Canadian think tanks**. Now, **think tanks** are non-governmental organizations that do research into policy issues and their publications <big>**can meet the CRAP test**</big>. <big>**But**</big> you **aren't looking** for a list of organizations ... you are looking for the <big>**websites**</big> of such organizations. <big>**Try**</big> your search [[search|websitesearch]]again.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/144545204@N05/42652102482/in/dateposted-public/" title="Frowning emoji"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1746/42652102482_592f3c11f6.jpg" width="256" height="256" alt="Frowning emoji"></a> <big>**Uh, nope**</big>, not this time. <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/144545204@N05/41984337054/in/dateposted-public/" title="Website1"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1734/41984337054_74c2b4ae84.jpg" width="362" height="471" alt="Website1"></a> This is also a **website** ... the website for <big>**a scholarly journal**</big> that publishes research related to Canadian policy issues. Good for finding <big>**peer-reviewed journal literature**</big>> but not a website with a **variety of information** related to Canadian policy problems and research. <big>**Have another go at **</big> your search [[search|websitesearch]].

<big>**This is it!**</big> You've found the last source you need so you're ready to write your paper and get out into the sun! The Public Policy Forum (PPF) website meets our criteria of **current, reliable, authoritative and point-of-view!** <ul><li>The website provides information on **who is involved in the organization** (e.g., board members, researchers and partners). <li>There is no "last updated" information on the home page but recent publications include those **published this year.** <li>Reports do not necessarily have reference lists (i.e., cited sources) but this seems consistent with the mandate of the organization (i.e., to be a **platform for discussion** not a scholarly research institution). <li>And in terms of "point of view", the organization states clearly that it is **"an independent, non-partisan, non-profit** organization and a registered charity."</li></ul> <big>**Congratulations!**</big> **Now you have:** **A government document** <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/144545204@N05/27832007507/in/dateposted-public/" title="Maple leaf"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1726/27832007507_045d5c757f.jpg" width="330" height="330" alt="Maple leaf"></a> **An official report** <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/144545204@N05/27832015817/in/dateposted-public/" title="Official report 2"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1745/27832015817_3a76b4a596.jpg" width="330" height="330" alt="Official report 2"></a> **A general website** <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/144545204@N05/41982656214/in/dateposted-public/" title="general website 2"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1757/41982656214_dd4afb56d6.jpg" width="325" height="325" alt="general website 2"></a> **<big>Keep track</big>** (set: $points to $points + 5) **Your score: **$points points (set: $website to $website + 1) **Your sources** Government document: $govdoc Official report: $report General website: $website [[Play again?|Untitled Passage]]