The CRAAP Test

My research topic is lowering the military drinking age. It is a very opinionated topic with little cold-cut facts about it. To find some of these facts however, I went to www.dtic.mil to find a policy letter. This letter is signed by the Secretary of Defense so the authority of the website is without question. Military policy letters are continually updated. They are republished and rereleased often to keep up with the times. This particular letter had been updated less than a year ago, so I found its currency to be well up to date.

The policy letter at hand does include a large amount of information that does not pertain to my topic. However, a large section of the letter contains information that will be useful to me in doing my research. MWR (Morale, Welfare, Recreation) policy letters span across all branches of military service so as to cover every soldier, seaman and marine. The accuracy of this website is acceptable as well. Given that it has a .mil domain, it's run by the military. This lets us know that it is a trusted website and all information can be considered accurate.

Overall, I was very comfortable using this website and policy letter to gain facts about my topic. Having been written by the Secretary of Defense, this document easily withstands the CRAAP test. It is a factual, unbiased and informative document.

4 Possible Research Topics

Capital Punishment - Who are we to play to the hand of God? Some people feel that it is not our job to execute those who commit serious crimes. Some believe that there are no problems with the issue.

Haitan Orphans Kidnapped - During the Haiti relief efforts, 33 suspected orphans were being rescued by American volunteers. These children were later found to not really be orphans. The workers are being faced with charges of kidnapping. Is that right or wrong?

Military Drinking Age - "If your old enough to serve your country in war, your old enough to sit down at a bar." This is a statement that I've heard over and over again throughout my 6 years in the military. I agree with it, but there are some who don't.

War in Iraq - A lot of people don't fully understand the reasoning behind the war in Iraq. Even some service members do not understand. This has been one of the most contraversial topics to date and there are supporters on both sides.

3

2

Good Life

The phrase “Good Life” has a wide array of meanings to me. Although Kanye West rapped about it in a song, the phrase is much deeper than lyrics and beats. It’s a saying that stays in my mind and keeps me motivated.

If life were a highway, the “Good Life” would be that journey along it until you’ve reached the end. Potholes, lanes, speed limits, and flat tires. Also, it’s the attitude in which you face things throughout that journey. Life is good, and its sometimes very easy to forget that.


Some religions also believe in a “Good Life” as well. Every living thing deserves to be treated with respect. This goes all the way back to elementary school where we were taught the Golden Rule. “Treat others as you would like to be treated”. The way that I see it, if you go through life with good intentions for every person, animal, and object you come in contact with, you are living a good life.


In fifty years, when I’m retired and old, and my children have children, who have children on the way, this is my “Good Life”. Having accomplished all of my goals and dreams, I will finally be able to look back on my life, take a deep breath, and be proud of what I’ve done. That overall feeling of successfulness and completeness is what I’m seeking. The “Good Life” may be different for other types of people. It refers to individual aspirations, hopes, and dreams.


Up until this point I’m content with the life that I’ve led. There have been a few minor hiccups but that’s to be expected. All that I can do is continue along my highway, and look at each obstacle that arises like a slow moving car that I must pass. I’ll take my time and do the speed limit so that I can get a good view of everything I pass. I’d hate to miss out on anything spectacular. I’ll just keep moving forward along the road that is my “Good Life”.