The CRAAP Test!

Before using an online source for your paper, be sure to evaluate it. 
Does it meet the qualifications of a quality, scholarly resource?

Check for:

Currency: the timeliness of the information

• When was the information published or posted?
• Has the information been revised or updated?
• Is the information current or out-of date for your topic?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 (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?
• Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?
• Would you be 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 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 e-mail address?
• Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?
  examples: .com (commercial), .edu (educational), .gov (U.S. government), .org (nonprofit organization), or .net (network)

Accuracy: the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content, and

• 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 biased and free of emotion?
• Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors?

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 and impartial?
• Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?

Evaluating Sources video by Western University Libraries.

If you use the tips on the Finding Scholarly Sources tab, much of your evaluation work is already done for you because your search list will only contain scholarly sources. Sticking to Scholarly or Peer-Reviewed sources will save you time.

What does peer-reviewed mean? It means that experts in the field gave feedback on a paper before it was published. Typically, articles published in scholarly journals are peer-reviewed and of the highest quality.

Some hints:

Peer-reviewed sources are usually...

• Full of references because scholars always back up their argument. Look for a bibliography or works cited page!
• Published in academic journals like American Journal of Sociology and NOT in magazines or newspapers, like Reader's Digest or The Washington Post.
• Written by professors so check to see if the author is affiliated with any universities or colleges.

What is NOT a scholarly or peer-reviewed source?

• Many web sites
• Magazines 
• Primary sources, e.g. a president's speech