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WRT 101/102 - Desert Vista -Evaluating Sources: Evaluating Sources/Websites

Evaluating Sources/Websites

Some criteria to consider when evaluating sources are

  • Purpose (yours and the author's)
    • How does the source add to your research project?
    • Is the author's information unbiased?
  • Relevance
    • Does the information relate to your topic and research questions?
    • Does the source fulfill the source type requirements (popular vs. scholarly, primary vs. secondary) for your assignment?
  • Credentials (of the author, sponsor, and publisher)
    • Is the author qualified to write on this topic?
    • Is the publisher/sponsor reputable?
  • Publication date
    • When was the information published or last updated?
    • Is the source current enough for my topic? (Note: not all research projects require the most up-to-date information)
  • Accuracy
    • Is the information correct and reliable?
    • Does the author/creator provide references to sources?
  • Audience
    • Who is the intended audience?
    • Is the audience appropriate for your project?

ABC Web Evaluation: Guidelines for Evaluating Websites

When evaluating websites or any other information sources, use the following ABC Test to help evaluate the information you find:

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 - commercial site
    • .edu - school or university site
    • .gov - government website
    • .org - for-profit or non-profit organization site
Note: Domains such as .ca (Canada) or .au (Australia) are country-specific domain names. It is not easy to tell what type of organization is behind these domain names so use some of the other criteria to evaluate the website. 
 

 Bias: 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?
     

Credibility: The reliability, correctness, and believability of the content.

  • Where does the information come from?
  • Who or what are the sources of the information?
  • 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?​
  • 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?​
  • Would you be comfortable citing this source in your research paper?

Domain Names

The URL for a website can tell you a lot about the purpose of a webpage. 

.com = commercial site

.net =network provider

.org =organization

.edu =education - school or university

.mil = military website

.gov = government website

.com, .net, and .org sites are less regulated, meaning anyone can register for a website with that domain.  .edu, .mil, and .gov sites are MORE REGULATED, and tend to be more reliable. 

CRAAP TEST

The CRAAP Test: Guidelines for Evaluating Websites 

  

When evaluating websites or any other information sources, use the following CRAAP test to help evaluate the information you find.  This checklist applies to any resource you may use for a school assignment, but keep in mind that some items are specific to websites.  

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.