Is this Source or Information Good??
Ask yourself these questions when evaluating the source you find.
HERE ARE TWO WAYS TO APPROACH THE CREDIBILITY OF YOUR SOURCES. PICK THE ONE THAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU.
HERE ARE TWO WAYS TO APPROACH THE CREDIBILITY OF YOUR SOURCES. PICK THE ONE THAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU.
OPTION #1
TEST
Evaluation Criteria
Currency: The timeliness of the information.
Relevance: The importance of the information for your needs.
*The CRAAP Test was developed by the Meriam Library at California State University, Chico.
OPTION #2
ASSESSING THE CREDIBILITY OF SOURCES (adapted from CRAAP Test)
1. Who is the author and what are their credentials?
2. What is the purpose of the work and is it biased?
3. What kind of information do you need?
4. Is the content appropriate for your needs?
HOPE THIS HELPS WITH DEVELOPING THE SKILLS TO CRITICALLY EVALUATE INFORMATION FOR ALL YOUR RESEARCH.
GOOD LUCK!!
TEST
Evaluation Criteria
Currency: The timeliness of the information.
- When was the information published or posted?
- Has the information been revised or updated?
- Does your topic require current information, or will older sources work as well?
- 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 (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?
- Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is the one you will use?
- Would you be comfortable citing this source in your research paper?
- Who is the author / publisher / source / sponsor?
- What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?
- Is the author qualified 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 (examples: .com .edu .gov .org .net)?
- 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 and free of emotion?
- Are there spelling, grammar or typographical errors?
- What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain or persuade?
- Do the authors / sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
- Is the information fact, opinion or propaganda?
- Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
- Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases?
*The CRAAP Test was developed by the Meriam Library at California State University, Chico.
OPTION #2
ASSESSING THE CREDIBILITY OF SOURCES (adapted from CRAAP Test)
1. Who is the author and what are their credentials?
- Is the author qualified to write on the topic?
- Are their credentials visible?
- Is the author affiliated with a recognised research institution?
2. What is the purpose of the work and is it biased?
- Why has this work been written?
- Who is the audience and what is the message?
- Is it sponsored? Has a group or company paid the author to make these claims? Consider, for instance, lobby groups, special interest groups, corporate entities etc.
- Is it biased? Is the author affected by political, social, economic, environmental, religious, cultural, personal or any other bias?
3. What kind of information do you need?
- Do you require the most up to date research?
- Do you want an overview of the body of knowledge of the field?
- Do you need an historical perspective?
4. Is the content appropriate for your needs?
- Do you need primary material? What kind and where can it be found? Archives, museums etc.
- Perhaps you are looking for popular opinions on a topic. News, Twitter or Facebook might be useful.
- Do you need to back up your claims with evidence? If so, scholarly resources are required.
HOPE THIS HELPS WITH DEVELOPING THE SKILLS TO CRITICALLY EVALUATE INFORMATION FOR ALL YOUR RESEARCH.
GOOD LUCK!!