Nutrition Science and Everyday Application - beta v 0.1

FINDING ACCURATE SOURCES OF NUTRITION INFORMATION 111
CRAAPP
Test
Principle
Questions to ask
Currency
When was it written or published? Has the website been updated recently?
Do you need current information, or will older sources meet your research need?
Where is your topic in the information cycle?
Note: In general, newer articles are more likely to provide up-to-date perspectives on nutrition
science, so as a starting point, look for those published in the last 5-7 years. However, it depends on
the question that you’re researching. In some areas, nutrition science hasn’t changed much in recent
years, or you may be interested in historical background on the question. In either case, an older
article would be appropriate.
Relevance
Does it meet stated requirements of your assignment?
Does it meet your information needs/answer your research question?
Is the information at an appropriate level or for your intended audience?
Authority
Who is the creator/author/publisher/source/sponsor? Are they reputable?
What are the author’s credentials and their affiliations to groups, organizations, agencies or
universities?
What type of authority does the creator have? For example, do they have subject expertise
(scholar), social position (public office, title), or special experience?
Note: The authority on nutrition information would be a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), a
professional with advanced degree(s) in nutrition (MS or PhD), or a physician with appropriate
education and expertise in nutrition. (This will be discussed in more detail on the next page). Look for
sources authored or reviewed by experts with this level of authority or written by people who seek out
and include their expertise in the article.
Accuracy
Is the information reliable, truthful, and correct?
Does the creator cite sources for data or quotations? Who did they cite?
Are they cherry-picking facts to support their argument?
Is the source peer-reviewed, or reviewed by an editor? Do other sources support the
information presented?
Are there spelling, grammar, and typo errors that demonstrate inaccuracy?
Note: Oftentimes, checking the accuracy of information in a given article or website means opening
a new internet tab and doing some additional sleuthing to check the claims against other sources.
Purpose
Is the intent of the website to inform, persuade, entertain, or sell something?
Does the point of view seem impartial or biased?
Is the content primarily opinion? Is it balanced with other viewpoints?
Who is the intended audience?
Note: Particularly if you’re looking at an organization’s website, do some background research on the
organization to see who funds it and what is the purpose of the group. That information can help you
determine if their point-of-view is likely to be biased.
Process
What kind of effort was put into the creation and delivery of this information?
Is it a Tweet? A blog post? A YouTube video? A press release?
Was it researched, revised, or reviewed by others before published?
How does this format fit your information needs or requirements of assignment?