Module 3: Assessing Data Credibility
Start With Good Quality Data
When creating a data visualization, you need to ensure that your data source is legitimate and credible. Choosing your data source is critical. Given the glut of information available online, it is important to sift through it to find high quality information. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Is this source trustworthy? Is the data verifiable?
- Can I share this data? Are there privacy concerns or other harms to be aware of?
- Is this data or information appropriate for the story and message?
- Does it reveal something that makes me uncomfortable? How will I make sure unconscious biases are not affecting my interpretation of it?
Deeper Dive
A good lens to use is the CRAAP test. Watch this video, Evaluating Sources, to learn more.
The CRAAP test asks you to consider: currency, relevance, accuracy, authority and purpose. Browse through the list below for a definition of each.