Information can come from anywhere, anyone, and for any purpose, which means that critical evaluation is an essential part of your research process. The CRITICAL guide helps determine if a source is appropriate and prompt you to think about how your search for, select, and engage you research materials.
C.R.I.T.I.C.A.L.
Credibility |
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Relevance |
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Intention |
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Timelines |
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I-EDIAA |
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Coverage |
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Authority |
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Level |
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The ACT-UP: Evaluating Resources for Social Justice method of evaluating sources was developed by librarian Dawn Stahura, now at Salem State University.
ACT-UP asks you to consider important questions about your research:
Author: Who is the author and why did they present this information? Where did you find it? On a reputable website?
Currency: When was it published and does this fit the time period of your project?
Truth: Is the information correct? Does the author use sensationalizing words to evoke an emotional response? Are there typos?
Unbias: What point of view is the information showcasing? Is it trying to get you to think a certain way? Bias is present in all resources, so knowing what type of bias (even if it includes missing information), is important!
Privilege: Does the author of your information come from the dominant culture, or do they come from a marginalized group? Particularly if the author is writing about a community they do not belong to, make sure to include other sources that do represent that community.