Evaluating Sources
Evaluating sources is a critical skill in academic research and everyday information consumption. By carefully assessing the quality and reliability of the sources you use, you can ensure that your work is based on accurate, credible, and relevant information.
Evaluate information to...
- find the most relevant information for your topic and assignment;
- ensure the quality and reliability of your research;
- find expert views, opinions, and research on your topic;
- weed out unreliable, biased, outdated, and/or incorrect information;
- make sure you get the information your professor is seeking.
The CRAAP Test
The CRAAP Test is a helpful tool for evaluating the credibility and reliability of sources. This test asks you to evaluate the Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and the Purpose of each source you consider for your project.
Here's how you can use each criterion:
Currency
- Check the publication date.
- Determine if the information is up-to-date and still relevant.
- Look for recent updates or revisions.
Relevance
- Assess whether the information relates to your topic or research question.
- Ensure the content is appropriate for your academic level and specific assignment.
- Consider the depth and breadth of coverage.
Authority
- Identify the author, publisher, or organization responsible for the content.
- Look for the author's credentials and affiliations.
- Determine the reputation of the publisher or source.
Accuracy
- Verify the information with other reliable sources.
- Check for supporting evidence, citations, and references.
- Look for errors in spelling, grammar, and typographical accuracy.
Purpose
- Understand the purpose of the information (to inform, persuade, entertain, or sell).
- Identify any potential biases or conflicts of interest.
- Determine if the content is objective and fact-based or opinionated and subjective.
Using the CRAAP Test helps ensure that the sources you use are trustworthy, relevant, and suitable for your academic research.