More help There are many ways to evaluate information sources. Is the information current enough for your topic? How recently has the item been updated? Great question! The CRAP test. The resource should help you answer some aspect of your research question. Who wrote it? Handouts and worksheets CRAP test handout. What is the publication, and does that publication have a good reputation? Credibility can be tricky to determine: is this information biased? Link broken? Last updated Jan. Is the information biased? Does it use words or phrases that you might have to look up? Here are a few questions to ask yourself as you go through the evaluation process. Information need updating? CCC Library provides many resources to help with finding "good" sources. Why was it published: to inform, persuade, entertain, etc.? A good source is credible and relevant to your topic. Is the author trying to reach experts, the general public, children, retirees, veterans, etc.? Ultimately it is up to you to determine using research and your own critical judgement whether a source is good or not. Evaluate information using the CRAP Test Evaluating information is especially important when completing academic research assignments in college because you will be evaluated on the quality of sources you use. The resource should be understandable to you; not so hard to read that it is hard to understand. Does it cite its sources? What are their credentials? Relevancy can be determined if the resource helps you learn more about your topic. When was it published? Currency When was the item written or created? Is the information accurate and well-edited? Reliability Is there a works cited or references list? Who is the intended audience? Report a problem.{/INSERTKEYS}{/PARAGRAPH} Stop by, call us, email us, or chat with us online. Please email reference clackamas. Does this resource require in-depth knowledge for you to understand? Authority Who is the creator or author? Have website feedback? If so, are they clearly stated? Would it be confusing if you didn't know anything about the topic? Do the author or publisher seem to be pushing an agenda or particular side? CRAP stands for currency, reliability, authority and purpose. What are good sources? Research help This guide will help you at all stages of the research process, from choosing a topic to citing your sources. Are they reputable? Are they an expert? Once you find an article you like, check its references for more, then use the CCC Library Catalog to search for the citation. Starting your research in the catalog will help you find books, eBooks, and articles from newspapers, magazines, and scholarly journals. What kind of information is included in the resource? {PARAGRAPH}{INSERTKEYS}Evaluating information is especially important when completing academic research assignments in college because you will be evaluated on the quality of sources you use. There are many ways to evaluate information sources. Or links to outside sources? These are the four areas you'll consider when evaluating a source. Some of our other favorites are listed below. What is on their "About Us" page? Was the item reviewed by experts? CRAP test worksheet. Are there advertisements? CCC Librarians are here to help you with this exact question, too. We're happy to help! Who is the publisher, sponsor, or hosting website? Reading peer-reviewed journal articles How to recognize characteristics of and efficiently read peer-reviewed journal articles. What is the publisher's interest if any in sharing this information?