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INST/PLSC 2600: Introduction to International Politics

This guide is designed to support course work for INST 2600/PLSC 2600

Is it Good News?

You should always evaluate the news you find, read, watch, and hear. The CRAAP test is a list of evaluation criteria (explained below) that can help you make sure you are finding good information and using good sources.

  • Currency
    Most of the time you want the freshest information. When this is the case, ask yourself the following questions: Is the information current or outdated? Has it been revised or changed since it was published/posted?
    Sometimes you may want information that is older or from a certain date. In these cases, ask yourself: Is this definitely from the time I was looking for?
  • Relevance
    Does this information help you accomplish the purpose of your paper? Does it relate to your topic easily? Does it strengthen your argument or statements?
  • Authority
    Who is the author? Who is the publisher? What is their experience with this topic? What expertise do they have - knowledge, education, experience? Do they have any motivations or biased for their work? Why should they be trusted?
  • Accuracy
    Is this information correct? Reliable? Can it be verified in other sources? What methods did they use to collect their data? How did they draw their conclusions? Do they list their sources? Can you trust that the information is true?
  • Purpose
    Why was this written? What was the writer's purpose? The publisher's purpose? Are there any hints of bias? Is this meant to inform or persuade?

Check the Facts!

Strategies for Evaluating News Sources

Strategy 1: Note whether the report is thorough. Thoroughness is completeness, which means the main questions should be answered and all sides of the story represented.

    • Are the 5Ws and H questions answered (who, what, where, when, why and how)? The lead and first few paragraphs should immediately and concisely answer most of the six questions. The remainder of the story should elaborate on these questions and address additional points.

    • What questions remain? If questions are still unanswered, ask yourself why.

Strategy 2: Consider whether the report is accurate and credible. Newspapers and broadcast stations strive to be both accurate and credible by including evidence, eyewitnesses, and experts in their reports.

    • Can the facts be verified? Be wary of vague research and studies.

    • Who are the sources? Watch out for unidentified sources or sources whose credentials aren’t given.

Strategy 3: Make certain the report is objective. News reporters have a responsibility to be objective. Because audiences don’t have access to the same information as the reporter, they rely on the reporter to present a balanced and factual report. To achieve balance, a reporter includes enough background information to provide a proper context and interviews several sources.

  •  Are multiple viewpoints represented? Note how many sources are included and whom they represent. If only one source is given, ask yourself why.
  • What do the sound bites say? Sound bites can be taken out of context to sensationalize a story or unfairly represent a person or an issue.
  • Is the reporter objective? Listen to the reporter’s language, and ask yourself whether the  language is loaded or whether the reporter asks leading questions.

Strategy 4: Consider newsworthiness and be aware of sensationalism. Journalists use certain criteria to determine if a story is newsworthy, or significant enough to be reported.

  • Why was the story printed or aired? Ask yourself whether the story has widespread impact.
  • Is the story exaggerated? Some stories are aired or printed in the hopes of garnering an audience and boosting ratings and sales.

 

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