SOCI 325-001 SOCIOLOGY OF LAW (Fall 2023)

Frameworks

There are certain frameworks that information professionals have put together to help people think critically about the information provided. Thanks to University of Washington for putting together the information below. Click on each hyperlink to get suggested answers.

5 W Questions (5Ws): This method means thinking critically about each of your sources by answering five questions to determine if the source is credible/reliable. The acceptable answers to these questions will vary depending on your needs. The questions are:

• Who is the author? (Authority)
• What is the purpose of the content? (Accuracy)
• Where is the content from? (Publisher)
• Why does the source exist? (Purpose and Objectivity)
• How does this source compare to others? (Determining What’s What)

SMART Check: This method is particularly good at evaluating newspaper sources. Like the 5Ws method it also involves answering critical questions about your source. The criteria are:

• Source: Who or what is the source?
• Motive: Why do they say what they do?
• Authority: Who wrote the story?
• Review: Is there anything included that jumps out as potentially untrue?
• Two-Source Test: How does it compare to another source?

CRAAP Test: This method provides you with a set of criteria that make a source more or less credible. The criteria are:

• Currency: Timeliness of the information
• Relevance: Importance of the information for your needs
• Authority: Source of the information
• Accuracy: Truthfulness and correctness of the information
• Purpose: Reason the information exists

Additional Help

If you would like more personalized writing support:

1. Visit the Rice University Program in Writing and Communication by Center for Academic and Professional Communication, located at Fondren Library.
2. Click the tab "Library Help" on the left menu to find how to contact Fondren Library to get different kinds of help.