It is vital to continually question and evaluate the quality of the information you find.
Use the CRAP test; Currency (up-to-dateness, reliability, authority, purpose) on each resource you use, and take a look at the videos on the left for some guidance on evaluating digital information.
Your research results are only as good as the information you plug in. Question, cross check and evaluate all sources.
Currency
- How recent is the information?
- How recently has the website been updated?
- Is it current enough for your topic?
Reliability
- What kind of information is included in the resource?
- Is content of the resource primarily opinion? Is is balanced?
- Does the creator provide references or sources for data or quotations?
Authority
- Who is the creator or author?
- What are the credentials? Can you find any information about the author's background?
- Who is the published or sponsor?
- Are they reputable?
- What is the publisher's interest (if any) in this information?
- Are there advertisements on the website? If so, are they cleared marked?
Purpose/Point of View
- Is this fact or opinion? Does the author list sources or cite references?
- Is it biased? Does the author seem to be trying to push an agenda or particular side?
- Is the creator/author trying to sell you something? If so, is it clearly stated?
