English 001 A (Kincheloe): Research Paper: Evaluating Information

Evaluating Websites:  Applying the CRAAP Test
(Borrowed from   Library - California State University, Chico)

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?
• Are the links functional?
• This article uses outdated information: https://www.vegsource.com/harris/b_cancer.htm

Relevance: The importance of the information for your needs. 

• Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
• Who is the intended audience?
• Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too basic or too advanced for your needs)?
• Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?
• Would you be comfortable citing this source in your research paper?
• This site has good information, but the it is not relevant: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/adventure_pass/weird-but-true/freaky-food/#WBT1600x90048.png

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 a publisher or email address?
• Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?  Examples: .com .edu .gov .org .net
• This site appears legitimate but we cannot be sure about the source:  https://healthylongevity.blogspot.com/2014/02/death-by-veggiephobia.html

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? 
• This site cites data and statistics with questionable validity: https://bragg.com/healthinfo/fluoridefacts.html

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 or purpose 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?
• Look at the funding and copyright information at the bottom of this website: https://www.beefnutrition.org/

• Are paid for by the Library so that you can have free access to scholarly information.
• Content is evaluated for authority and accuracy.
• Information is stable, meaning it doesn't disappear after a period of time.
• Through subject pages it is easy to find databases with information that relates specifically to your topic
• Offer options to quickly limit or expand your search results to find the best articles for your topic.

The Internet:

• Many sources are free, but others require you to pay.
• Information is not evaluated for accuracy and may be incorrect, misleading or biased.
• Websites come and go.
• Is not organized.
• Search engines (like Google) often return an overwhelming number of results.  These search engines offer no quick way of narrowing your results to ensure they relate to your topic.