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Source evaluation is critical to creating a well-researched paper, presentation, or speech. Using reputable sources establishes your credibility in the eyes of your audience and allows your audience to consult your sources to explore the topic further. How then, can we determine the quality and usefulness of the information we engage with? How do we know that the information will meet our needs? How do we know that it’s trustworthy? There are several techniques that you can use to critique sources for their reliability and usefulness.
Keep in mind: It is easy to assume that everything available through the library is credible and bias-free. While many of the materials available have gone through editorial review, peer review, and other evaluative processes, information and perspectives are constantly changing which may result in some information becoming outdated or no longer acceptable. Furthermore, while many sources (such as references sources) attempt to remain neutral in tone, there may still be missing perspectives that could impact how that source is perceived.
When using library resources, it is important to distinguish between research-based writing, informative writing such as newspaper articles and government reports, and opinion-based writing such as editorials, blog posts, social media posts, and other forms of personal writing. ALWAYS approach research and database searching from a critical perspective.
The CRAAP test can be used to critically evaluate a source. The table below provides an overview of the CRAAP test.
| Evaluation Criteria |
Description |
| Currency |
When was the source published or created?
Do you need current information for your topic?
When was the source last updated?
Would using historical information add context to your research?
|
| Relevance |
Is the source appropriate for your purpose?
How is the source relevant to your topic? How does it help support or argue with your thesis/argument?
Based on the writing style and publication, who is the intended audience?
|
| Authority |
Who is the author?
What are the author's credentials?
Are the author(s) accepted as experts on the topic?
Are they cited by or mentioned in other sources?
If the source is a website, what is the domain name (example. gov, .edu, .org, .com) for the site and why is that relevant?
Who published or sponsored the source? Is the publisher or sponsor reputable?
|
| Accuracy |
Is the content primarily facts, claims or opinions?
Does the author consult or refer to credible sources of information?
How is the information supported? What evidence is provided?
Can the information be verified elsewhere?
What are the limitations of the source? What information or perspectives might be missing?
Is the source free of spelling and grammatical errors?
|
| Purpose |
What's the intent of the source (to persuade, to inform, etc.)?
Where did you find the source? Does that affect how much you trust the source?
What is the context of the information (Are ads on the website? Is it part of a larger resource?)
Is the information balanced or slanted?
|
For more information about evaluating sources for credibility, as well as in-depth information about specific source types, consult the Evaluating Sources guide.
