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ENGL 1500 - B. Devine - James Joyce: Evaluating Sources

This guide provides search strategies and recommended resources for research in B. Devine's ENGL 1500 James Joyce class.

Evaluating Sources

When you search for information, you're going to find lots of it . . . but is it good information? You will have to determine that for yourself, and the CRAAP Test can help. The CRAAP Test is a list of questions to help you evaluate the information you find. Different criteria will be more or less important depending on your situation or need. Use the C.R.A.A.P. method to evaluate your sources.  This method will help determine if the source you found is appropriate for your paper. 

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?
  • If it is an internet site, are the links functional?

Relevance: The importance of the information for your needs

  • Does the information relate to yur topic or answer your questions?
  • 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

Authority: The source of the information

  • 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 publisher or email address
  • If a website, does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?
    • examples: .com, .gov, .edu, .org, .net

Accuracy: The reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the 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 and free of emotion?
  • Are there spelling, grammar, or typographical errors?

Purpose: The reason the information exists

  • What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain or persuade?
  • Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions 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?