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Research 101: Evaluate Sources

Research 101

Can I use this source in my paper?

Good question. Not all information is equal. Take a moment to ensure information is accurate and trustworthy before using it for academic purposes.

Evaluate Your Source with the CRAAP Test

The CRAAP test guides us through some questions to ask about a source to determine its quality.

Currency

- When was this published? Has it been updated?
- Is the information still accurate now or is it out-of-date or incomplete?

Relevance

- Will this source help you understand your topic or complete your assignment?
- Does this source meet your assignment's criteria? 

Authority

- Who published this? Is this a source others trust? ​
- Who wrote this? What are their credentials?

Accuracy

- Is there evidence for claims made–maybe citations?
- Can you verify the information in other places?
- Do we know or believe this information was reviewed before publication--whether by fact-checkers or through a peer-review process?

Purpose

- Is this source trying to sell something? Is it intended to entertain?
- Are these opinions, based on one perspective, or facts?
- Does this source seem biased?

Tip: You can answer these questions using information from the source and the rest of the web. Don't recognize a publication or website? Google it to see what others are saying!

Lateral Reading

Lateral Reading

Learn more about a source to determine its credibility. What is the website or organization? Do others trust it?

  • Open a new tab to search for information about the website from others.
  • Look for information on the website itself about who they are. Keep an eye out for mission, funding, and potential biases.
  • Open a new tab and search for the claims in your source. See if other reliable sources are reporting the same thing or go to the origin of the claim.

Other Resources

Biased and Fake News

Learn more about misinformation in the news and finding reliable information.

Is Wikipedia a Bad Source?

.org Isn't Enough

A website that ends in .org isn't necessarily more trustworthy!

There can be a lot of variety between different organizations. Some will cite trustworthy evidence and valid research, while others will simply state unfounded opinions. Some will have strong reputations, while others may be more controversial or even discredited. Plus, most organizations are created around a central goal or opinion, which can mean their information is biased.

There are no current criteria for using a .org domain name for a website. It is no longer reserved for non-profit organizations.

Instead of deciding whether to trust a website based on a .org in the url, evaluate the content and authority of the source.

Can I Use This Source in a Paper?

Attend a recorded workshop about evaluating web sources!