Different Sources …

So What?

Characteristics of a Scholarly Article

CRAP TESTCURRENCY

-How recent is the information?-How recently has the website been updated?-Is it current enough for your topic?

REALIABILITY

-What kind of information is included in the resource?-Is content of the resource primarily opinions? Is it balanced?-Does the creator provide references or sources for data or quotations?

AUTHORITY

-Who is the creator or author?-What are the credentials?-Who is the published or sponsor?-Are they reputable?-What is the publisher’s interest in this information?Are there advertisements on the website?

PURPOSE / POINT OF VIEW

-Is this fact or opinion?-Is it biased?-Is the creator/author trying to sell you something?

First Example:

Question 1: Scholarly or not?

Question 2: Can we still cite it?

Conducting research on EBOLA

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/28/science/ebola-and-the-vast-viral-universe.html?ref=science&_r=1

Second Example:

Question 1: Scholarly or not?

Question 2: Can we still cite it?

Researching on Climate Change

http://docsdrive.com/pdfs/ansinet/jas/2013/3406-3410.pdf

Third Example:

Question 1: Scholarly or not?

Question 2: Can we still cite it?

Researching on Climate Change (Again):

http://www.chevron.com/globalissues/climatechange/

So remember about the CRAP Test!