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Sport Sciences & Physical Education

Starting point for your research in sport sciences. Use this guide to locate resources for your field of study.

Evaluating Sources

Bias & Fact vs. Opinion

Bias

Bias occurs when an author presents information influenced by their personal beliefs, preferences, or agenda rather than objective evidence. While some bias is natural, it’s important to recognize when it compromises the source's credibility.

How to Spot Bias:

  • Look for emotionally charged language or one-sided arguments.
  • Does the author present alternative viewpoints?
  • Is the content overly promotional or persuasive? .

Fact vs. Opinion

Distinguishing fact from opinion is crucial when evaluating a source's credibility:

  • Facts: Statements that can be proven true or verified with evidence.
    • Example: “Regular exercise reduces the risk of heart disease.”
  • Opinions: Statements based on personal beliefs, interpretations, or judgments.
    • Example: “Everyone should run 5 miles daily to stay healthy.”
  • How to Evaluate: Does evidence back the claims? Does the source provide citations or data to support its points? Can other reputable sources corroborate the information? .

TRAAP Test

DOES IT PASS THE TRAAP TEST?

The TRAAP Test breaks down the source evaluation process into manageable questions to help you determine if a source is suitable for your research.

T stands for timeliness. Ask yourself: When was the information published? Does the age of the information affect the accuracy? Is there a more recent

Acknowledgement: This graphic uses the text-based TRAAP test from the Australian National University