Research Guides: College 1 Research Guide: Evaluating Sources

Purpose: Why was it created?
Authority: Who created this material? What are the author&rsquo;s credentials?
Scope/Coverage: What does it include and leave out?
Accuracy: Is the information provided correct?
Currency: When was it created or last updated?
Objectivity: What is the author&rsquo;s or sponsor&rsquo;s point of view?

Evaluate Your Sources

Before you use a website -- or any source -- for an assignment, consider:

There are many variations on this technique -- here are links to a few of them.

The ABCD of Website Evaluation
When evaluating a web site, see if you can identify the authority, bias, currency and documentation of the site. You can also see this explained in a video. From Oklahoma City Community College.
SIFT & PICK
This technique helps you select quality sources by examining other sources and internet fact-checking tools, and by examining the source itself. Source: Santa Barbara City College.
CRAAP Test
The CRAAP Test looks at currency, relevancy, authority, accuracy, and the purpose of websites. It is a list of questions to help you evaluate information you find on the web. From CSU Chico.