Good question. Not all information is equal. Take a moment to ensure information is accurate and trustworthy before using it for academic purposes.
The CRAAP test guides us through some questions to ask about a source to determine its quality.
- When was this published? Has it been updated?
- Is the information still accurate now or is it out-of-date or incomplete?
- 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?
- 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?
- 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!
Learn more about a source to determine its credibility.
Learn more about misinformation in the news and finding reliable information.
Many organizations are created around a central goal or opinion, which can make them quite biased.
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.
Also, 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.
Attend a recorded workshop about evaluating web sources!