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Introduction:
As students, you often work on assignments requiring the use of credible sources. But what
does it mean for a source to be credible?
Why is it important to use these sources? How can you tell if the online source is credible? When
we describe a source to be credible or basically saying that the information is high-quality and
trustworthy, essentially, we believe what the source is telling us.
When we use high quality online or other sources to back-up our points, we demonstrate our own
credibility as a writer, thereby contributing to the overall effectiveness of our statements.
This lesson will help you to express your choices, form judgments and come up with wise
decisions in choosing the right and credible sources in the future.
This module brings you to a cross-examination of online sources according to their relevance,
worth of ideas, soundness of author’s reasoning, and effectiveness.

Learning Competency:
Judge the relevance and worth of ideas, soundness of author’s reasoning, and the
effectiveness of the presentation (EN9RC-IVf-2.22)

In this module, you are expected to:

a) identify the standards to use in judging the relevance and worth of ideas, soundness of author’s
reasoning, and the effectiveness of the presentation;
b) provide critical feedback/reaction to a specific situation;
c) evaluate information sources using the CAARP test; and
d) exemplify self-reliance in verifying the reliability and credibility of a website using the CAARP
tool.

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Read the conversation between the two characters and analyze each statement based of its
credibility and reliability. Answer the following question asked below.

Have you read the I think you are worrying for

Facebook post nothing, because earlier today, I
circulating online have read some news from
since April 2? It was inquirer.net published by news
confirmed that the correspondent Delfin T. Mallari Jr.
COVID UK Variant has Based on the article, the Municipal
already reached our Health office of Lucban had
neighboring town. clarified the said issue. According
According to my to them, the mayor only wanted
friend who resides in to quote one of the medical
the said town, the professionals who attended to the
alleged person who deceased patient that there is a
tested positive is a big possibility that it was caused
medical professional by a UK variant, but there is no
who attended to a confirmatory test performed yet.
deceased patient. I They have also added that they
am worried about my are already trying to process a
relatives there. I hope genome sequencing of a direct
they are fine contact of the late patient and the
local chief executive only wanted
-
the residents to be vigilant and
Clara-
safe.

-Mario-

Imagine you overheard the conversation the two characters in the above comic strip.
1. Which statements are more convincing? Clara’s or Mario’s?
2. What are the things you considered in making your choice?
3. What do you think is the impact of unconfirmed information spreading online?
4. What do you suggest to the readers or listeners?

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 What do you notice on your answers from the last module, “What I Need to Know”? Apparently,
the last module you worked on was about judging the validity of an evidence. This time, you will be
assessed of how you have understood the lesson.

Directions: Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if it is incorrect. Write your answer
on your notebook.
1. A book author must cite studies or other sources to be considered valid and reliable.
2. Reliable newspaper and magazine articles don’t have bibliographies; therefore, they don’t have
to cite sources to prove their claims.
3. An online source is material you find online. It can be an online newspaper, magazine or
television website.
4. Using meaningful texts can support student knowledge building of abstract or unfamiliar
concepts and can support their writing.
5. The author’s level of expertise can add to the credibility of a source.

In the succeeding task, it will assess your strategies towards judging the relevance, worthiness of
ideas, and soundness of author’s reasoning in online and print sources.
Directions: Put a check on each criterion that you used in evaluating sources. Write your answers on a
separate sheet of paper.

_______ 1. When was the information published?

_______ 2. Is the information related to your topic?
_______ 3. Is the author qualified to write on the topic?
_______ 4. Are there any spelling or grammar errors in the text?
_______ 5. What biases might the author have?

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Analyze the following sources of information in the given situation.

You are researching on the Country that Has Responded Best to Covid-19 for your essay project.
Source 1 Source 2

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 https://www.routledge.com/Social-Analysis-and-
COVID-19-Crisis-A-Collective-Journal/Gupta-Allen
https://time.com/5805956/time-editor-in-chief-
Durao-Gupta-Katsarska-Schuller-Seed-Tu/p/book
coronavirus/
9780367636616

A time magazine cover of a mother and This book is a collective journal of the
daughter at the Life Care Center in Kirkland, the COVID-19 pandemic. With first-hand accounts of
nursing home that became site of the first U.S. the pandemic as it unfolded, it explores the social
outbreak. and the political through the lens of the outbreak.

Source 3 Source 4

https://www.wsj.com/articles/which-countries-
https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/ujrt20 have-responded-best-to-covid-19-11609516800

A premier source for high-quality, This journal explores on the strategies

peer-reviewed research that defines the state of taken by the different countries in responding the
Which the
source would
art, and probably
future horizons, be
of the MOST
teaching and appropriate?
Covid-19Why?
pandemic.
________________________________________________________________________
learning with technology.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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________________________________________________________________________.

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A source's credibility is influenced by a variety of things. Expertise, viewpoint, and publication

date of the source are all taken into account. The author's level of competence on the subject matter
is expressed in the form of an advanced degree or considerable experience in a particular sector.
According to reliable sources, the author's qualifications are typically included. However, in other
cases, the author's qualifications may not be stated, and the publication itself may be the marker of
quality. Even in non-scholarly media, such as well-respected newspapers and magazines, the
articles' substance is thoroughly scrutinized throughout publishing.
The author's point of view is another factor that contributes to a source's credibility. In
particular, its potential for bias, which is the presenting of information in an erroneous or unjust

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manner. It is possible to have a prejudice that is both deliberate and inadvertent. A writer's point of
view may prohibit him or her from seeing the subject from all angles. Sometimes, you need
objective evidence to back up your claims. Other times, you may welcome the input of others, and
that's OK as long as you recognize the viewpoint of the source in your own work.
Finally, while evaluating any source, whether online or print, take into account the date of
publication or latest update. Even high-quality items might become out of date and unsuitable for
certain tasks. Obviously, not all reliable sources are suitable for your study. Make certain to assess a
source's trustworthiness in addition to its relevance for your project.
As a student, you must have the ability to filter information collected from these sources. It will
assist you in avoiding misinformation, which has been more prevalent in recent years as a result of
fake news. Additionally, you must develop your ability to evaluate the relevance and value of their
material prior to utilizing them as the basis for personal decisions, particularly when dealing with
social problems and real-world challenges.
We are constantly bombarded with information: Email, Radio, TV, Social Media, the Internet,
Friends, and School Readings.
One of the most important things that we can learn to do for schoolwork and life is to filter for
the best information – in other words, reliable information.
But how do you determine if a source is reliable?
In making sound judgments about the overall quality of information presented in a viewing
material, you need to consider the following elements:

1. Currency
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Currency is important because information can quickly become obsolete. Supporting your
statement with facts that have been superseded by new research or recent events weakens your
argument. Of course, not all assignments require the most current information; older materials can
provide an historical or comprehensive understanding of your topic.

How do you know if the timeliness of your information is appropriate?

 When was the information published or last updated?

 Have newer articles been published on your topic?
 Are links or references to other sources up to date? Is your topic in an area that changes
rapidly, like technology or popular culture?

If these cars were sources, which would you use?

• Old and Abandoned Car – This source was perfectly appropriate once upon a time.
But now it’s so old it no longer runs. It’s rusty and abandoned and totally out of date. Don’t use old,
outdated information. Find something that still runs.

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 • Classic and Well Maintained Car – This source may have been written many years
ago, but it’s still considered to be a core work on the subject. You will encounter sources like this
more often in the humanities and social sciences than in medicine and the sciences where it is
crucial to consider the current research. If in doubt about an older source, ask your professor or a
librarian for guidance.

• Shiny and New Car – Current research and information is usually best. For example, if
you’re researching a controversial issue, you should consider the debate that is playing out right
now. In the sciences, new practices and innovations are being introduced all the time. Current
information could make the difference between life and death.
Questions to Ask?
1. When was the source (website, article, book, etc.) published?
Books – Have the date information on the back of the Title Page.
Internet Articles – and websites usually post the date information just after the article title or at
the bottom of the webpage.

Do you need ‘up-to-date’ info? Does your topic require recent sources? If you are writing about
iPads or heart surgery techniques, you are going to need very new, up-to-date information.
If you are writing about Ferdinand Magellan it might be okay to have information that is older,
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such as a book or an article written 20 or even 40 years ago.

2. Accuracy
Accuracy is the extent to which information contains factual and updated details that can be
verified by consulting alternative and/or primary sources.

Questions to Ask?
1. Is there any support?
2. Is the information supported by evidence or outside sources?

If you come across an information source that does not cite where the author got the facts, be
skeptical.

Example:

“A survey conducted in 2009 by CareerBuilder.com found the use of social media sites by
employers to screen job candidates had doubled from the previous year.27 The Society for Human
Resource Management conducted a survey of more than 500 of its member in October 2011 and
concluded that 18% of employers who recruited job candidates used social network searches as a
screening tool for these candidates.28…

27 Sommers, Meredith. “Employers Differ On Checking Online; ACLU Rips Use by State
Police”, Washington Times, 4 Apr. 2012, p. A16.

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 28 Kadaba, Lini S. “What is Privacy? As Job-Seekers Are Judged by Their Tweets and
Facebook Posts, Uncertainty Abounds,” Philadelphia Inquirer, 2 May 2012.
http://articles.philly.com/2012-05-03/news/31539376_1_facebook-photos-facebookpasswords-
employers.

Notice how this author cites evidence and uses footnotes to show where she found the
information.

Does the information seem correct based on your personal knowledge?

Trust your gut. If a source just seems wrong, be skeptical and consider another source for your
research. The Internet is full of false claims, hoax websites, and satire.
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Example-
“New Study Finds 85% if Americans Don’t Know All The Dance Moves To
National Anthem” from the Onion.

The Onion is a satirical newspaper that publishes outlandish, fake news stories. Yet many
people fall for their headlines day after day!

3. Authority

Authority is important in judging the credibility of the author’s assertions. In a trial regarding
DNA evidence, a jury gives far more authority to what a genetics specialist has to say compared to
someone off the street.

Which of these authors would you trust?

I am Dr. Alexander Lee - the Associate Professor and

public policy researcher at Harvard Kennedy School of
Government. I finished my PhD in political science from
Columbia University, published my research in academic
journals, and presents papers at conferences around the world.

I am Todd and I create blogs. I write about my feelings

on politics, video games, and my cat, Noodles. My only real
expertise is my cat, Noodles.

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Hi, Elise here! I am a technology blogger. I work in the
industry, test new products firsthand, do live-blogs tech
events, and attend all major conferences. I write for a
respected insider technology website.

Hi guys, I’m Kevin - a conspiracy theorist. I have self-published

eleven books, which you can order from the PayPal link on my
website. They have many typos.

Questions to Ask?
1. Who authored/created the information?

2. Who is the Author, publisher, or creator of the article, website, or book?

For articles and books, it is usually pretty easy to find the name of the author. However,
Internet articles often do not have authors listed, in which case the creator of the website is
considered to be the author of the article. Many websites list authors at the bottom of the home
page.

3. What are the author’s credentials? Is he/she qualified to write on this topic?
Since anyone can post anything on the Internet, you need to make sure that the author has the
expertise to know what he/she is talking about. Try Googling the author. What can you learn about
their qualifications?

3. Relevance

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 Relevance is the information's level of importance to a particular viewing purpose or explicitly
stated need for that information.

1. Does your source really relate to your topic and help you support your argument?
This may seem obvious, but sometimes when you are in a hurry to find information, you find
articles that sort of relate to your topic, but don’t truly help you to make your argument. Take the
time to find information that helps you make the point you want to make. Your argument will be
stronger! Page 14 of 25

2. Is the information at the appropriate level?

Make sure that the information source is neither too basic nor too advanced for the audience.

For example, don’t use an author’s biography from an online bookstore for your English
paper.

5. Purpose

Purpose is important because books, articles, and Web pages exist to educate, entertain, or sell
a product or point of view. Some sources may be frivolous or commercial in nature, providing
inadequate, false, or biased information. Other sources are more ambiguous concerning their
partiality. Varied points of view can be valid, as long as they are based upon good reasoning and
careful use of evidence.

Why was your source written?

Here are a few common reasons information is published:
- Sell – Infomercials
- Inform – Reporter on the news, Researcher in a study
- Persuade – Activist, Debater/Speechmaker

Questions to Ask?
1. Why was your source written?

2. What is the purpose of the source?

Information that is seeking to sell you something or persuade you is more likely to discuss the
positive aspects of a product or point of view. For a more balanced view, seek out sources that were
created to inform.

3. Does the information express a bias toward a particular view?

Information of all purposes can be used. In fact, sometimes information that presents a bias or
preference for a certain point of view can be useful when you are creating an argument. However, if

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you are writing an informative paper, it is a good idea to acknowledge any bias you find in your
source, so that your teacher knows that you recognize the expressed bias.

Example- Environmental Issues – Who says?

How would information published by Oil Companies differ from statements by environmental
advocacy groups like the Sierra Club or the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?

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Evaluating digital information can be a complex process. Avoid letting any one source "hijack
your consciousness" by critically evaluating how and why the information was created and by
whom.
Put on your thinking caps and use the CAARP (Currency, Accuracy, Authority, Relevance,
and Purpose) Test to help you evaluate information sources.

Directions: Read and examine the news article thoroughly. Using the CAARP test method,
answer the following questions.

Duterte eyes house-to-house vax drive as millions of Covid jabs still unused
Published April 5, 2022, 8:57 PM
by Alexandria Dennise San Juan

President Duterte on Tuesday, April 5, said he is considering implementing a house-to-

house vaccination program as many Filipinos still refuse to get inoculated against Covid-19,
leaving millions of vaccine doses unused.
In his “Talk to the People” public address aired Tuesday night, Duterte said the
government might embark on a “last-minute” program to utilize the unused vaccine doses that
are nearing expiry.
“Itong mga bakuna mag-expire, either ibigay natin sa mga countries na wala pa or
siguraduhin natin na we’ll embark on a program, last-minute, na mag-house-to-house na lang sa
mga barangay at ‘yung hindi pa nakabakunahan, kailangan lumabas na at mabakuna sila (These
vaccines will expire, either we will give them to countries that are yet to procure their vaccines
or we embark on a program, last-minute, that we’ll go house-to-house in the barangays and
those that have not yet been vaccinated should go out and get the jab),” Duterte said.
According to Duterte, there are no excess vaccine doses as the government has
procured enough to fully inoculate the target Filipino population
However, the President said it is okay with him even if the country will not achieve full
Covid-19 vaccination of the target population as the government can’t force those who really
don’t want to get inoculated.

“Binili natin ‘yan sa numbers. Dapat magamit, kung hindi magamit, mag-expire ‘yan,
itatapon talaga natin (We purchased that in numbers. It should be utilized, if not, it will expire
and we will really throw it away),” Duterte noted.
“The vaccines are here, ready to be utilized. Just in case, a good number of the
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Filipinos remaining and refusing to be vaccinated, wala na tayong magawa (we can’t do
anything about it),” he added.
During the same briefing, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said around 64 to 65
million Filipinos have already been fully vaccinated, or 74 percent of the target population
which is 90 million Filipinos. Page 16 of 24

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/05/duterte-eyes-house-to-house-vax-drive-as-millions-of-covid-
jabs-still-unused/
Guide Questions:
1. What is the news article all about?
2. What is the purpose of the provided news article?
3. What makes it fruitful?
4. What makes the news clip relevant?
5. Complete the table by supplying the necessary information from the provided
news article:
Source
Details
Author

Supporting Sources

Date

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Directions: Applying the CAARP test, analyze the following situations and decide whether it
help in obtaining credible and reliable information or not. Put a check (/) if yes and cross (x) if
not.
____ 1. You are reading an article about the number of new positive cases of COVID-19
in your place. Then, you found out that the article is already out of date.
____ 2. Amanda saw a viral Twitter post from unknown source who asserted that a
medical plant is being used to cure covid 19 patients.
____ 3. A resource speaker in the seminar you are attending mentioned names of credible
authors while expounding hid ideas.
____ 4. Your friend saw a cryptic news headline and shared it in her timeline, but it does
not present any details about the whole story.
____ 5. A social media influencer stressed, “Filipinos have no right in the West
Philippine Sea.” However, he failed to cite any source to prove his claim.

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Directions: Read and analyze each question on evaluating sources carefully. Then choose the
letter that corresponds to the correct answer

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1. The acronym CAARP, used to help evaluate information stands for:
a. Currency, Accuracy, Authority Relevance, Purpose
b. Curriculum, Analysis, Aptitude, Relevance, Proprietary
c. Critique, Analyze, Appreciate, Review, Paraphrase
d. Content, Applicability, Academic Honesty, Recentness, Persuade

2. When you find information on the internet that relates to your topic, you should: (Select
ALL that Apply)
a. Be grateful you were able to find something useful so quickly
b. Be certain to capture a screenshot of the site to show your instructor
c. Be skeptical of the information you find
d. Apply the CAARP Test

3. As you write a paper for your Health Science subject, you notice one your web sources
cover all of the beneficial aspects of a drug you are researching, and lists no side effects. This
may lead you to think:
a. This could be the miracle drug the market has been hoping for!
b. The website might be outdated.
c. The website could be biased and trying to sell you something.
d. You should explore the website for information on other drugs.

4. By applying the “Authority” test for evaluating information, you can investigate whether:
a. You have the proper authorization to use a source in your paper.
b. The author of your source is considered to be an expert in the area about which you
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are researching.
c. The author of your source is wanted by the authorities.
d. Your source compares favorably with sources used by other students in your class.
5. According to the CAARP Test, Currency refers to:
a. The cost of the book of article
b. When the book, article, or website was published
c. The intended audience

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d. The reliability of the source

6. Which of the following information sources would NOT be appropriate for a research
paper?
a. An electronic book about Jefferson accessed via the ACC catalog.
b. An article on Jefferson by a “Contributing Author” on About.com.
c. A website article on Jefferson accessed through WhiteHouse.gov.
d. A book from the public library about Thomas Jefferson and John Adams.

7. Which of the following is a question you should ask yourself to help determine if a source
is relevant?
a. Does the source appear in your top 3 search results?
b. Does the source really relate to your topic?
c. Does the information seem correct?
d. When was the source published?

8. An article by an anonymous author

a. Does the source appear in your top 3 search results?
b. Does the source really relate to your topic?
c. Does the information seem correct?
d. When was the source published? Page 21 of 25

9. _______________ is important in judging the credibility of the author’s assertions.

a. Currency
b. Authority
c. c, Accuracy
d. Relevance

10. How can we determine if a source is reliable?

a. If it states issues that are prevalent nowadays
b. If it provides information that public needs

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c. If it contains pertinent answers on issues
d. All of the above

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Directions: Make a reflection answering this question, “What is the importance of being
able to judge the relevance, worthiness, soundness and effectiveness of ideas and
presentations?”

This will be rated following this rubric below.

Points
5 4 3 2 1 Earned

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 The essay is fully focused and The essay is consistently focused The essay is The essay is minimally The essay shows
contains a wealth of ideas and and contains a ample ideas and sufficiently focused focused. The provided little, or no focus
examples. The writer uses examples. The writer may and contains some examples are vague or and the ideas are
rhetorical strategies and employ rhetorical strategies and ideas and examples. general and the response unclear, irrelevant,
addresses counterarguments. addresses counterarguments. The response is demonstrates minimal or repetitive. The
generally awareness. response is
IDEAS appropriate to the incomplete or too
 Controlling idea persuasive purpose. brief.
 Supporting ideas
 Use of Details
 Awareness of
purpose
 Sense of
completeness

ORGANIZATION The organization of ideas The organization is appropriate, The organization is The organization is The essay shows
 Introduction, supports the writer’s focus. Ideas and the sequencing of ideas is generally formulaic or little evidence of
are grouped in a logical manner. logical. Varied transitions are appropriate to the inappropriate. The organization or
Body, Conclusion Effective and varied transitions used. persuasive purpose. response may lack a clear sequencing.
 Sequence of ideas are used. introduction or Transitions are not
 Groupings of ideas conclusion. The used. The response
 Effective transitions are rare. is incomplete or too
brief.
transitions
 Awareness of
purpose
The writer utilizes carefully The language and tone of the The language and The language and tone The language and
STYLE
crafted phrases to create a essay enhance the persuasive tone are appropriate. are uneven. Word choice tone are
 Sentence variety sustained tine and an authorative purpose. Word choice is Word choice is is simple, ordinary, or inappropriate. Word
 Word choice voice. Word choice reflects an appropriate. Sentences are adequate but may be repetitive. There is choice is incorrect
 Audience advance vocabulary. varied. simple or ordinary. minimal variation in or confusing. The
awareness Some sentence sentence length and response is
variety is evident. structure. incomplete or too
 Personal voice brief.
CONVENTIONS The writer demonstrated full The writer demonstrates The writer The writer demonstrates The writer lack
 Sentence command of the conventions of knowledge of the conventions of demonstrates minimal control of the understanding of
written. English language, No written English. Errors are minor sufficient control of conventions of written conventions of
formation errors are evident. and do not interfere with the conventions of English. Errors are written English.
 Subject-verb meaning. written English. frequent and interfere Errors are
agreement Errors may interfere with meaning pervasive. The
 Standard word with meaning but response is
forms. are not distracting. incomplete or too
brief.
 Punctuation,
spelling, and
capitalization
Total
Points:

Lawrence, KS. n.y. KU Libraries. n.m. n.d. Na-access April 26, 2021.
https://lib.ku.edu/video-tutorials/evaluating-sources-credibility.

Chai, T. (2022, March 31). Armacost Library: BIOL 348: Developmental Biology: Evaluating
Sources: The CRAAP Test. Retrieved April 18, 2022, from Evaluating Sources: The CRAAP
Test - BIOL 348: Developmental Biology - Armacost Library at University of Redlands website:
https://library.redlands.edu/c.php?g=625412&p=4364332

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