ENGL 101: McGill, R. (Fall 2024): Evaluating sources

Here are some evaluation criteria to get you started. This is a more simplistic approach, but easy to recall!

Currency

• When was the information published?
• How recently has the website been updated?
• Is it current enough for my topic?

Relevance

• What kind of information is included in the resource?
• Does the source help answer my research questions?
• Is this written at the level my instructor requires?

Authority

• Who (or what organization) is the creator or author?
• What are the credentials of that author--education, training, experience?
• Who is the publisher or sponsor--are they reputable?

Accuracy

• Does the creator provide references or sources for data or quotations?
• Does the information correlate with information found in other reputable sources?

Purpose/Point of View

• Is the content of the resource primarily opinion? Is is balanced?
• Is this fact or opinion?
• Is the creator/author trying to sell me something?
• Are there advertisements on the website?
• Is there bias?

Applying the CRAAP Test

To help you think through these questions and apply them to a potential resource, try using this Evaluating Sources Handout:

Image source: "Reliability of Sources: The CRAAP Test" by Eastern Michigan University Library is licensed under CC BY NC SA.

Evaluating Sources Video Tutorial

Watch the video below. To see it in a larger window, click on the link below.