HIST 2110 - US Comprehensive Survey: Evaluate Sources
Why do I need to evaluate my source?
It is easy to find poor quality, out-dated, and bogus information. Finding the best information to meet your needs takes a critical eye. To carefully assess and select appropriate and credible information takes time and critical evaluation, especially when you are completing academic assignments. Academic work requires accurate and documented information. This page offers tips and tutorials on evaluating information
Evaluating Information Sources
The CRAAP Test is a list of questions you can ask yourself in order to determine if the information is reliable. CRAAP is an acronym for:
Currency - Is the material current? Does it contain outdated or disproven information? Is the site maintained regularly?
Relevance - Is the material relevant to your question?
Author - Who wrote the content? What are the author's qualifications? Is there a way to contact the author?
Accuracy - How accurate is the information? What evidence does the author use? Does the author cite sources?
Purpose - What is the purpose of the content? Is the content objective or biased?