How do you decide what information to trust? Looking carefully at the RADCAB elements is one way.
Before you decide to use information, look carefully at the information AND the website where the information is posted.
Like a detective, search for clues and think about what they mean. Ask questions like: Who wrote this information? What was their motivation? Is it reliable? Accurate?
The RELEVANCY test asks if the information you find is relevant to the type of research you are doing. Is the information related to your research? Remember, as a researcher you are looking for academic information -- facts -- not something meant to entertain you. You want a high-quality source.
Ask yourself:
Tip:
QUIZ: Test your understanding of Relevancy on the sources below. Here's how:
The APPROPRIATENESS test asks whether the information you find is suitable for your reading level and core values.
Ask yourself:
Tip:
QUIZ: Test your understanding of Appropriateness on the sources below. Here's how:
The DETAIL test asks whether the information you find is enough. Is the depth of coverage adequate? Is the breadth of coverage adequate? Are viewpoints missing?
Ask yourself:
Tip:
QUIZ: Test your understanding of Detail on the sources below. Here's how:
The CURRENCY test asks when the information was published or last updated. For some topics like current events, the source's date can be very important.
Ask yourself:
Tip:
QUIZ: Test your understanding of Currency on the sources below. Here's how:
The AUTHORITY test asks who the author is, and whether they are an expert. Because anyone can publish a website, the authority test to check for expert qualifications is SUPER important.
Ask yourself:
Tip:
QUIZ: Test your understanding of Authority on the sources below. Here's how:
The BIAS test asks why the information was written. Was it written to inform you, persuade you, entertain you, or sell you something?
Ask yourself:
Tip:
QUIZ: Test your understanding of Bias on the sources below. Here's how: