Now that we've looked at how misinformation and disinformation can spread, it's time to learn how to recognize and avoid it.

The CRAP Test

No, we don't mean that crap.

The CRAP test can help you evaluate resources for authenticity. "Crap detection," first coined by Ernest Hemingway and adopted by media literacy expert Howard Rheingold, is your internal meter that tells you when something seems off. Relying on the CRAP test and your own sense of "crap detection" helps you separate truth from fiction.

Currency

How recent is this information?
If viewing on a website, how recently was the site updated?

Reliability

What supporting information is available?
Is this source mainly opinion? Is it highly one-sided?
Does the source use outside references, or does it self-reference (an example of circular reporting)?

Authority

Who is the author?
What are the author's credentials?
Where was this published?
Is this sponsored information?
What kind of advertisements are on the page, if any?

Purpose/Point of View

Is this fact, opinion, or opinion presented as fact?
Does this information appear biased?
Do you feel like the creator or author is trying to sell you something?