PSYC3002 - Assessment 2

CRAAP Test and Library Worksheet CRAAP Test Directions: Imagine you are researching the topic of how vaccines may affect autism. Go to the following Web page and answer the questions in the CRAAP Test Worksheet below.  https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/09/16/how-to-end-the-autism- epidemic.aspx Use the following questions to help you evaluate the above source of information. Answer the questions and then score each category from 1-10 (1=unreliable, 10=excellent). Add up the score to help you decide whether you should use that source for your coursework. Currency: The timeliness of the information. Currency Score: 9 1. Is the information current enough (in psychology, usually within 5 years)? 2. Has the information or website been revised or updated in the past 6 months? 3. Are the links functional? Yes, the information was last updated in March of 2019, and that is the most recent date that could be found in the text. Yes, the information was last updated in March of 2019. The “Autism Education Summit” link does not work. “How To End the Autism Epidemic” is a link to Amazon Books for purchase, it is not an excerpt to support to the argument. Relevance: The importance of the information for your needs. Relevance Score: 7 1. Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question? 2. Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e., not too elementary or too advanced for your needs? 3. Have you looked at a variety of sources before choosing this one? Yes, it does relate it to the topic and answers the question but, from the point of view of the author. Yes, the information is at an appropriate level. I looked at the following resource: Taylor, L. E., Swerdfeger, A. L., & Eslick, G. D. (2014). Vaccines are not associated with autism: an evidence-based meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies. Vaccine, 32(29), 3623–3629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.04.085 Authority: The source of the information Authority Score: 5 1. Are you able to determine who is the author publisher of the information? 2. Can you verify the author or publisher’s credentials as a respected expert on the topics? 3. Does the URL help you determine the I am able to determine who the author publisher is of the information. Yes, it appears to be provided throughout the article. It also provides factual information from other respected experts. Yes, .com is not an accredited source. A 1

CRAAP Test and Library Worksheet source? (.edu; .com; .gov; .org) majority of the other links provided in the article lead to other articles by the author. Accuracy: The reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content. Accuracy Score: 2 1. Did the author back up his/her statements with credible evidence and list/link to verifiable sources? 2. Is the information free of spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors? 3. Does the language or tone seem unbiased and free of emotion? No, the author did not back up his/her statements with credible evidence and list/link to verifiable sources. Yes, there are no spelling errors. No, the author has a clear-bias. However, the author does not attempt to hide their bias. The author reveals their own, personal opinion throughout the article. Purpose: The reason the information exists. Purpose Score: 2 1. Is the purpose to inform? (And not to sell, entertain, or persuade) 2. Is the information fact? (And not opinion or propaganda) 3. Is the source free of ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases? It appears that the purpose would be to convince/persuade the reader as it revolves around the author’s belief. The information provided is mostly opinion- based. No, the author cites throughout the article and references information based on his own personal belief. The articles he used were not academic articles. Scoring:  45-50 Excellent  40-44 Good  35-39 Average  30-34 Borderline Acceptable (Below 30 Not an acceptable source) Adapted from the CRAAP Test created at the Meriam Library at the California State University at Chico. Total Score: 25 Library Worksheet Directions: Locate the article below in the Capella Library using Summon . Use the Database Guide Summon: The Basics to help you create your search for this article. Dr. Arch Mainous published an article in 2018 about primary care physicians sharing scientific findings (key word: research) in an era of fake news. After you have located the article and read it, answer the following questions: 2

CRAAP Test and Library Worksheet 9. What is the in-text citation for this journal article using APA style? (Mainous, 2018) 10. What is the reference for this journal article using APA-style? Mainous, III, A.G. (2018, November). Perspectives in Primary Care: Disseminating Scientific Findings in an Era of Fake News and Science Denial. Annals of Family Medicine, 16(6), 490-491. 11. How much time did it take you to complete this exercise and worksheet? Select one answer. [ ] About what I planned or expected [ x ] More time than I planned or expected [ ] Less time than I planned or expected 12. If this took more or less time than expected, what changes do you intend to make in your future time management planning? Be specific. This worksheet took more time than I expected. An unexpected event occurred that interfered with my time I had set aside for completing my schoolwork. I was not prepared to deal with the unexpected event, but I will make sure to prepare for any unexpected events that might occur in the future. I will accomplish this by setting aside extra time for my priorities and cancelling events that are not priorities in order to complete future assessments. Save this completed worksheet as a Word document (.doc, .docx) on your computer. Then, attach a copy of this document as your submission for Assessment 2. 4