Assessing Source Credibility: A Greenwashing Case Study Analysis

This assignment focuses on evaluating a source discussing greenwashing, the practice where companies deceptively promote themselves as environmentally friendly. The evaluation is conducted using the CARP (Currency, Authority, Relevance/Reliability, Purpose/Point of View) template. The source, an article by Beth Timmins on BBC News, is analyzed for its currency, the author's authority and credentials, the relevance and reliability of the information, and the purpose and potential biases within the content. The assessment concludes that the source is reliable for understanding greenwashing tactics used by businesses, providing valuable insights for consumers and researchers. The student recommends the source due to its recent publication date, the author's expertise, the clear relevance to the topic, and the impartial point of view.

Sustainability, eco-friendly are some of the most important elements while doing business. In this modern
time where people understand about the significance of remaining sustainable so they approach brands that
do activities in sustainable manner. Greenwashing is the term that is used to describe the reality of
businesses and organisation as they show they are sustainable but in real world they do not perform any
activity to remain sustainable.
A1 - CARP Template - Use this template to evaluate your source of information
Title: Climate change: Seven ways to spot businesses greenwashing
Is this journal newspaper book
Currency
When was the information published or
posted?
8th November
Has the information been revised or
updated? When?
No, it is not revised
Does your topic require current
information, or will older sources work as
well?
Older sources can also work collecting data about
the topic of greenwashing.
Websites – are the links functional? Yes, the link is right.
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-59119693
Authority
Who is the author/creator? Beth Timmins is the writer of the chosen
source.
What are their credentials? Are they
qualified to write about this topic? Can
they be contacted?
Beth Timmins has done Dphil. So, they have
great skill to write about the topic and in this
source about greenwashing is written.
Yes, this could be done through platforms of
social media.
Are they affiliated with any groups or
organizations?
Yes, BBC News
Who is the publisher or sponsor? BBC News
Relevance & Reliability
Does the information relate to your topic
or help answer your question?
Yes
Is the information at the appropriate level
for your research?
Yes
Who is the intended audience? Consumers are chosen as intended audience.
Where does the information come from?
Does the author provide references or
sources?
The writer has concentrated piece of information
from BBC news.
Has the information been reviewed or
refereed? By whom?
No
Do you feel comfortable using this source
in your research? Would your teacher
accept it?
Yes, I was comfortable while using this source.
Yes, the teacher will accept.

Purpose/Point of View
What is the information meant to do to the
reader?
Inform, teach, sell, entertain,
persuade?
organisation (but what kind of
organisation are they?)
The data can be used for making customers about
greenwashing.
Does the author or sponsor clearly state
their intentions or purpose?
Yes, the writer is clearly stated the purpose and
intentions.
Is the information fact or opinion?
Propaganda?
The data is fact.
Does the point of view seem to be
objective and impartial?
Yes, it is impartial.
What biases might the author or sponsor
have?
Political, ideological, cultural,
religious, institutional, personal?
It could be personal.
Are there any ads? How do they relate to
the topic being covered?
No the selected source does not show ads.
Websites – what does the URL and/or
domain tell you about the purpose?
Examples: .com – commercial; .gov –
government; .org –organisation
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-59119693
The URL and domain of the present article tells
that it is related to commercial.
Write some summarising statements here for your source of information to explain why you would (or would not)
recommend this source of information.
Currency The assembled data got published on recent dates. This can be used in
future for carrying data about greenwashing.
Authority Beth Timmins is the author of selected author. The author has great skill of
writer and also work as great writers in BBC News.
Relevance &
Reliability
The collected information is reliable so consumers can easily know about
the process of greenwashing. The information is directly linked to the BBC
News as its best writer has written it.
Purpose/Point of
View
The main purpose of the present report is show the reality of businesses
that they are just showing of sustainable but in reality they are not.