Evaluate Sources
It is important you choose and evaluate your sources carefully.
Use the CRAAP test to evaluate your sources for their quality and credibility.
Currency
- The timeliness of the information:
- When was the information published?
- Has the information been revised or updated?
- Is the information out-of-date for your topic?
- Are the links functional?
Relevance
- The importance of the information for your needs:
- Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
- Who is the intended audience?
- Is the information at an appropriate level?
- Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is the one you will use
- Would you feel comfortable using this source for a research paper?
Authority
- The source of the information:
- Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
- Are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given?
- What are the author's qualifications to write on the topic?
- Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?
- Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?
Accuracy
- The reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the informational content:
- Where does the information come from?
- Is the information supported by evidence?
- Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
- Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
- Does the language or tone seem unbiased or free of emotion?
Purpose
- The reason the information exists:
- What is the purpose of the information? To inform? Teach? Sell? Entertain? Persuade?
- Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
- Is the information fact? Opinion? Propaganda? Does the point of view appear objective or impartial?
- Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, intuitional, or personal bias?
