Lecture Notes: The Research Process & The CRAAP Test

By JPUncategorized

Research is Like Cooking!

When you think of research, imagine you’re preparing a meal.

Cooking and research both involve careful planning, selecting the right ingredients, and a focus on creating something you’re proud of. Today, we’ll walk through the research process using the steps of cooking as our guide.

I. Advance Planning: Preparing Your Research Recipe

Just like cooking, research starts with a plan. A successful meal doesn’t happen by accident; neither does good research. Planning is key to staying organized and ensuring a satisfying final product.

  1. Choosing the Right Recipe (Selecting Your Research Topic)

    • In cooking, you select a recipe based on what you’re in the mood to eat or what’s available. Similarly, in research, you start by choosing a topic that interests you or fits the assignment’s requirements.
    • A topic should be something you’re curious about, but it also needs to be manageable—something you can “cook” within the time and resources you have.

  2. Reading the Recipe Carefully (Understanding the Assignment)

    • Before you start cooking, you read through the recipe to ensure you understand all the steps and ingredients. With research, make sure you clearly understand the assignment. What’s the question you’re trying to answer? What’s the purpose of your research?
    • Ask yourself: What kind of paper is required (argumentative, analytical, narrative)? How many sources do I need? What format should I follow?

  3. Setting Up Your Workspace (Organizing Your Research Environment)

    • Just like you clear the kitchen counter before cooking, you’ll need to set up your research space. This means gathering the necessary tools—computer, notebooks, reference books—and eliminating distractions.
    • Keep your organizational tools nearby: sticky notes, citation tools, a calendar to manage deadlines.

II. Quality Ingredients: Finding and Evaluating Sources

Great meals depend on quality ingredients, just as strong research depends on credible, relevant sources. Let’s break down how to find the “ingredients” for your research project.

  1. Shopping for Ingredients (Conducting Research)

    • When shopping for a recipe, you select fresh, high-quality ingredients. In research, this means finding credible, reliable sources. Begin by using academic databases, libraries, and scholarly articles.
    • Avoid “processed” ingredients—just as processed foods can affect the quality of a meal, untrustworthy sources (like random websites or biased blogs) can weaken your research. Always look for peer-reviewed journals, books by experts, and academic papers.

  2. Check the Expiration Date (Evaluating Sources)

    • You wouldn’t cook with expired food, right? Similarly, not all research is up to date. Check the publication dates of your sources, and ensure that they’re relevant to your topic. If the subject is time-sensitive, use current data and studies.
    • Additionally, evaluate the source’s credibility: Who is the author? What is their expertise? Is the publication reputable? Do they provide evidence for their claims?

  3. Measure Carefully (Taking Notes & Managing Citations)

    • In cooking, measurements are crucial. Too much salt can ruin a dish, and in research, sloppy note-taking or failing to track sources can cause big problems later. Carefully record your findings and take detailed notes.
    • Manage your citations as you go, keeping track of each source and noting important quotes or data. Citation managers like Zotero or EndNote can help you stay organized.

The CRAAP Test

The CRAAP Test is a tool used to evaluate the credibility, relevance, accuracy, authority, and purpose of information sources.

It is a popular method for assessing the quality of sources and determining whether they are appropriate for academic research or other purposes.

The acronym CRAAP stands for:

  • Currency: the timeliness of the information
  • Relevance: the importance of the information for your needs
  • Authority: the source of the information and the credibility of the author or publisher
  • Accuracy: the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content
  • Purpose: the reason the information exists

To use the CRAAP Test, students should ask themselves a series of questions related to each of these criteria when evaluating a source. For example:

  • Currency: When was the information published or last updated? Is it current enough for your needs?
  • Relevance: Does the information relate to your research topic or answer your research question?
  • Authority: Who is the author or publisher of the information? Are they qualified to speak on the topic? Are they biased in any way?
  • Accuracy: Are the facts and information presented correct and verifiable? Are there any errors or mistakes?
  • Purpose: Why does the information exist? Is it intended to inform, persuade, sell, or entertain?

By answering these questions and evaluating sources based on the CRAAP criteria, students can make more informed decisions about the quality and credibility of information sources they use for research and other purposes. This can help them avoid misinformation and make stronger arguments based on reliable evidence.

III. Make Something You’ll Love: Crafting Your Research Paper

The research process culminates in the creation of something new, just like cooking brings together ingredients to make a meal. Once you have your plan and ingredients, it’s time to put everything together and “cook” your paper!

  1. Follow the Recipe (Structuring Your Paper)

    • Just like following a recipe ensures a well-cooked meal, following the structure of a research paper ensures clarity and flow. Most research papers follow a basic structure: introduction, body, conclusion. Make sure you outline your paper to guide your writing.
    • Include a clear thesis statement in the introduction—this is your “main course,” the central idea your research supports. In the body, present your findings logically, using evidence from your sources. The conclusion ties everything together, summarizing your argument and leaving the reader with something to think about.

  2. Taste as You Go (Revising and Editing)

    • In cooking, chefs taste the dish as they prepare it to ensure flavors are balanced. Similarly, as you write, revise your work to ensure it makes sense and stays on track. Don’t be afraid to adjust the “recipe” if something isn’t working.
    • Edit for clarity, coherence, and organization. Proofread for grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Ensure your citations are accurate and follow the correct format (APA, MLA, etc.).

  3. Present Your Meal (Sharing Your Research)

    • When a dish is finished, you plate it beautifully and share it with others. Your research paper should be polished and ready for others to enjoy. After final edits, submit your work confidently, knowing you’ve prepared it with care.

Conclusion: Savor the Process

Research, like cooking, takes time and effort, but the results are rewarding. When you plan ahead, use quality sources, and take pride in your work, the research process becomes much more enjoyable—and you’ll be proud of the final product, just like a delicious meal.

Happy researching!