Douglas D. Schumann Library & Learning Commons: ENGL 2200 (Prof. Coughlin): Evaluate & Select Sources

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Getting Started

Finding sources is one thing -- evaluating whether the source is useful depends on whether the source is credible and provides facts or expert opinion appropriate for your research question.

The first step when viewing a resource is to scan it quickly and determine if it is going to be useful for your topic. Is it reliable? Is the content written at an appropriate level for you understand it? If so, set it aside to explore fully later, If not, move on.

Evaluating Sources - Purdue OWL

CRAAP Test

There is a lot of information out there. How do you decide whether it's good information? Try using the criteria in the CRAAP Test, (created by Sarah Blakeslee of the University of California at Chico's Meriam Library) to evaluate the sources you're considering. CRAPP stands for:

Currency - The timeliness of the information.
Relevance - The importance of the information for your needs.
Authority - The source of the information.
Accuracy - The reliability truthfulness and correctness of the content.
Purpose - The reason the information exists.

CRAAP Test
Should you consider using that resource or is it crappy? The CRAAP test gives you a set of guidelines to consider when evaluating a source of information. Remember, this isn't a checklist, but you should carefully consider each item.