Identify Methods of Analysis to Assess the Quality and Reliability of a Source

Good researchers and writers examine their sources critically and actively. They do not just compile and summarize these research sources in their writing, but use them to create their own ideas, theories, and, ultimately, their own, new understanding of the topic they are researching. Such an approach means not taking the information and opinions that the sources contain at face value and for granted, but to investigate, test, and even doubt every claim, every example, every story, and every conclusion.

In this section you’ll learn about analyzing sources and how to utilize the C.R.A.A.P test to verify that your source is useful and relevant.

What You Will Learn to Do

• identify the relationship between a potential source and the writing task
• identify strategies for evaluating the rhetorical context (author, purpose, audience) of a source
• identify strategies for evaluating the authority, reliability, and effectiveness of a source (the C.R.A.A.P. method)
• identify strategies for comparison and synthesis between multiple sources

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