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- Muhst 497: The Beatles
- Thinking About Sources
Muhst 497: The Beatles: Thinking About Sources
Give Your Source the CRAP Test!
How reliable is the information you just found online? Give your source the CRAP test!
- Currency*How recent is the information?
*How recently has the website been updated?
*Is it current enough for your topic? - Reliability*What kind of information is included in the resource?
*Is content of the resource primarily opinion? Is is 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 (if any) in this information?
*Are there advertisements on the website? - Purpose/Point of View*Is this fact or opinion?
*Are there any perspectives that are missing?
*Is the creator/author trying to sell you something?
Class Exercise!
In small groups, you'll be assigned one of the sources below. Skim your source and answer the following questions:
- Why was this source created?
- Who is able to create this type of source?
- What type of source is it? Primary, secondary, tertiary?
- Is it current enough for your project?
- Who is the author and what are their credentials?
- Are there any perspectives missing from this source?
- Would you use this source in your paper? If yes, how would you use it? If not, in what context might this source be better suited?
- WILD-EYED MOBS PURSUE BEATLES: Dozen Girls Injured Here in Fervent Demonstrations
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- A working-class hero is something to be: the American Musicians’ Union's attempt to ban the Beatles, 1964
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Source Types
It can be helpful to think about the types of sources you might consult when writing your paper. Source types include:
- Primary Sources: Sources from created at the time. Examples include interviews, diaries, photos, live concert recordings.
- Secondary Sources: Sources that add reflection or interpretation of primary source materials. Examples include scholarly journal articles and books.
- Tertiary Sources: Are a combination of several primary and secondary sources. Encyclopedia articles or books that are a "guide" to topic are a good examples of teriary sources.