PSYC FPX 3002 Assessment 2 CRAAP Test and Library Worksheet
Student Name
Capella University
PSYC FPX 3002 Developing a Psychology Perspective
Prof. Name
Date
PSYC FPX 3002 Assessment 2 CRAAP Test and Library Worksheet
CRAAP Test: Evaluating “10 Common Myths About Therapy”
The CRAAP Test is a useful method for evaluating whether an online source is appropriate for academic research. It examines five areas: Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose. For this assessment, the selected source is Bryan E. Robinson’s article, “10 Common Myths About Therapy,” published by Psychology Today. Overall, the source received a score of 41 out of 50, which places it in the “Good” range according to the scoring guidelines provided by the CRAAP Test.
Web page evaluated:
“10 Common Myths About Therapy”
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-right-mindset/202005/10-common-myths-about-therapy
Currency
Currency refers to how recent and up to date the information is. The article was originally published in 2020, which is within the five-year period commonly considered reasonable for many psychology topics. The website was also updated in 2022, suggesting that the information has received some revision or maintenance. In addition, the links associated with the article were functional when reviewed.
Because the source was relatively recent and showed evidence of being maintained, it received a Currency score of 10 out of 10.
Relevance
Relevance considers whether the information directly relates to the research topic and whether it is presented at an appropriate academic level. The article addresses common misconceptions about therapy, making it relevant to topics involving psychotherapy and mental health.
The information is presented in language that is relatively easy to understand without being excessively basic. The article also provides a concise discussion of several misconceptions, which makes it useful for obtaining general background information.
Other online sources were considered before selecting this article. The information presented in this source was consistent with the general topic being researched, although additional scholarly sources would still be appropriate for academic coursework.
The source received a Relevance score of 9 out of 10.
Authority
Authority examines who created the information, who published it, and whether the author has appropriate qualifications. The article was written by Bryan E. Robinson, Ph.D., and published by Psychology Today.
According to the author’s biography, Robinson has professional experience as a psychotherapist and holds relevant professional credentials. His professional background and publications provide evidence that he has experience in the subject area.
The article is published on the Psychology Today website, making the identity of the publisher easy to establish. However, because the article is a popular psychology publication rather than a peer-reviewed research article, it should be considered alongside scholarly sources when completing academic research.
The source received an Authority score of 8 out of 10.
Accuracy
Accuracy refers to whether information is supported by evidence, presented correctly, and free from significant errors. The article is clearly written and does not appear to contain noticeable spelling, grammar, or typographical errors.
One limitation is that the article does not provide extensive supporting documentation for all of its claims. Although the author discusses psychotherapy based on professional experience and provides suggestions for finding qualified therapists, the article does not function as a systematic review or research study.
The tone also reflects the author’s professional perspective on psychotherapy. Some comparisons and examples appear interpretive rather than strictly evidence-based. Therefore, readers should distinguish between professional commentary and claims supported by empirical research.
The source received an Accuracy score of 7 out of 10.
Purpose
Purpose considers why the information was created and whether the source is intended primarily to inform, persuade, entertain, or sell something. The primary purpose of the article appears to be educating readers about common misconceptions surrounding therapy.
The article provides general information and professional observations about psychotherapy. However, some of the discussion relies on the author’s experience and interpretation rather than extensive empirical evidence. For this reason, the article is more appropriately viewed as an educational or professional commentary than as a research-based source.
The article also reflects the author’s perspective on psychotherapy. Because personal and professional perspectives can influence how information is presented, the source should be balanced with peer-reviewed research when used for academic work.
The source received a Purpose score of 7 out of 10.
CRAAP Test Score
The CRAAP Test scoring system used for this evaluation is:
- 45–50: Excellent
- 40–44: Good
- 35–39: Average
- 30–34: Borderline acceptable
- Below 30: Not an acceptable source
The article received the following scores:
| CRAAP Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Currency | 10/10 |
| Relevance | 9/10 |
| Authority | 8/10 |
| Accuracy | 7/10 |
| Purpose | 7/10 |
| Total | 41/50 |
A total score of 41 out of 50 places the source in the Good range according to the CRAAP Test criteria. Although the article is useful for general background information, its limitations in evidence and scholarly documentation should be considered before using it as a primary academic source.
Library Worksheet: Locating and Evaluating a Scholarly Article
The second part of the worksheet focuses on locating a scholarly article through the Capella Library using Summon. The selected article was written by Arch G. Mainous and published in 2018. The article examines how scientific findings can be communicated effectively during a period in which misinformation and science denial can make it more difficult for the public to understand research.
What Is the Full Title of the Article?
The full title of the article is “Perspectives in Primary Care: Disseminating Scientific Findings in an Era of Fake News and Science Denial.”
What Journal Published the Article?
The article appears in The Annals of Family Medicine, a professional medical journal focused on family medicine and primary care.
What Volume and Issue Contains the Article?
The article appears in Volume 16, Issue 6 of The Annals of Family Medicine.
What Pages Contain the Article?
The article appears on pages 490–491.
What Is the DOI?
The article’s DOI is:
https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.2311
The article can also be accessed through PubMed Central:
Is the Article a Research Study or Commentary?
The article is an editorial/commentary, rather than a scientific research study. This distinction is important because an editorial provides discussion, interpretation, or professional perspective rather than presenting original research findings in the same way as a research article.
What Is the Primary Purpose of the Mainous Article?
Mainous (2018) emphasizes the importance of communicating scientific and medical information clearly in an environment where misinformation can spread quickly. The article discusses the challenge that healthcare professionals and researchers face when members of the public encounter inaccurate or misleading information. Clear communication can help readers understand scientific findings and distinguish evidence-based information from unsupported claims. The article therefore highlights the responsibility of researchers and healthcare professionals to communicate research findings in ways that are understandable to people outside the scientific and medical communities.
What Does Mainous Recommend for Communicating Future Research?
Mainous (2018) emphasizes that researchers should make their scientific findings understandable to broader audiences. Rather than communicating research only through highly technical language, researchers can explain important findings, conclusions, and implications in clear and accessible terms.
This approach can make scientific information easier for patients, families, healthcare professionals, and members of the public to understand. Researchers should therefore consider how their findings will be interpreted by people who may not have specialized knowledge of the subject.
Effective communication can include:
- Clearly explaining the main findings of a study.
- Using language that non-specialists can understand.
- Highlighting the most important conclusions.
- Avoiding unnecessary technical terminology.
- Communicating evidence accurately and responsibly.
What Is the APA In-Text Citation?
The APA in-text citation for the article is:
(Mainous, 2018)
What Is the APA Reference?
The APA-style reference is:
Mainous, A. G. (2018). Perspectives in primary care: Disseminating scientific findings in an era of fake news and science denial. The Annals of Family Medicine, 16(6), 490–491. https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.2311
Time Management Reflection
This exercise took more time than originally planned or expected. A significant amount of time was spent reviewing the assignment resources and rereading the material to make sure the information was understood correctly. Additional time was also needed to locate and evaluate sources through the Capella Library.
The Capella resources, including the library and APA formatting tools, were helpful during the process. In future assignments, I will plan more time for locating sources, reading the required materials, evaluating information, and checking APA formatting. I will also break the assignment into smaller steps so that each research and writing task can be completed within a specific amount of time.
References
Mainous, A. G. (2018). Perspectives in primary care: Disseminating scientific findings in an era of fake news and science denial. The Annals of Family Medicine, 16(6), 490–491. https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.2311
Robinson, B. E. (2020). 10 common myths about therapy. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-right-mindset/202005/10-common-myths-about-therapy
PSYC FPX 3002 Assessment 2 CRAAP Test and Library Worksheet
Meriam Library, California State University, Chico. (n.d.). CRAAP test. https://library.csuchico.edu/sites/default/files/craap-test.pdf