C.R.A.P. Detection is a way to make sure that websites are accurate and reliable when trying to receive information. These examples show what to look for to make sure that you are getting the best information possible.
Good:
https://www.sports-reference.com
Sports-Reference has made their message clear that they hold the stats for all of the most watched sports in the U.S. The website has its source of data listed on the homepage as well as the last time the site was updated. This website also has all of the dates for the different statistics so users can easily find what they are looking for. The domain of the website tells the reader that they are only about sports. The website is also a “.com”. However, they do not have the creators of the website listed, which raises some concerns because there is no way to see if their credentials are legitimate or not. There is also no means to contact the author. They do have a sponsor, SportsLogo.net, listed at the bottom of their homepage by where Sports-Reference’s primary source is listed. The purpose of Sports-Reference is to inform people and give them easy access to statistics of sports throughout history. There are also not many ads on the site, which makes the reader more focused on the content they are looking for.
Bad:
StatMuse has information as updated as today, but it doesn’t show me the exact date of the information. It is hard to tell how accurate the site is because they do not have any sources listed. Eli Dawson and Adam Elmore created this site, but their credentials are not listed. The website does not allow the user to be able to contact the author. They are associated with the NFLPA, which is listed under the “Company” tab. This does not make the info on the site more clear because there is nothing on the website. I could ask a question but it makes it unclear on what I can or cannot ask the website. Disney and Greycroft are sponsors of the website. The domain ‘StatMuse” tells me that I will be able to access all statistics. It is a “.com” website. The purpose of the site I believe is to inform people about sports. There are no ads on the website.
Sports with Tasso 