Suzan Skaar, South High School Library Media Specialist

Introduction When you search for information, you’re going to find lots of it…but is it reliable and accurate? And since anyone can create a webpage, we must act as evaluators of information so we recognize scams, misinformation or relevant websites, especially for academic purposes. To determine reliability and accuracy of any information for yourself, apply the CRAAP Test.

Checklist of Factors Currency Relevance Authority Accuracy Purpose

Currency When was the information published or posted? Is it outdated? Has the information been revised or updated? Is the information current or out-of-date for your topic? Are the links functional?

Relevance Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question? Who is the intended audience? Is the information at an appropriate level for your needs? Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is the one you will use? Would you be comfortable using this source for a research paper?

Authority/Responsibility Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor? Are the author’s credentials or organizational affiliations given? What are they? Is there contact information, such as a publisher or address? Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source? Examples:.com.edu.gov.org.net

Authority : URL Who is responsible for the website? The first clue is the URL – Uniform Resource Locator, the address you use to go to a specific web site.

Domains Check the domain. What does it reveal about the author or source? Each URL contains a top level domain name, usually three letters. Here are some common top level domains:.com Commercial organizations – often selling something.orgOrganization, generally non-profit.govGovernment – federal, state or local agencies.eduU.S. higher education (colleges and universities).netNetwork service provider.milU.S. Military.k-12Public schools

Domain.gov

Authority (who is responsible for the URL?) :.edu A web site in the.edu domain is generally hosted by a college or university in the United States, and many of these sites contain valuable information. However, an.edu address does not mean that the information on the site has been checked by anyone or that it is an official document of the institution. Many institutions allow students and staff to post personal web sites. These often include /personal/ or a ~ (tilde) in the URL. A web page needs further evaluation, even if it is posted in the.edu domain, and even if it is written by a professor.

Authority Check for credentials, evidence that those responsible have the authority to write on a subject. This usually includes information on the author’s educational and professional background. What makes the author an authority on the subject? Is there a sponsoring organization, such as a university or non-profit organization? If so, who are they?

Authority/Responsibility : About Us This valuable information can likely be found in ABOUT or ABOUT US or WHO WE ARE link, usually in small print at the bottom of the page or near the top.

Accuracy Where does the information come from? 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 biased and free of emotion? Are there spelling, grammar, or other typo errors?

Accuracy In print publishing, accuracy is checked by editors. Before using information provided at a web site, be sure to check the facts in at least one other source. Does the site include a Bibliography or Sources Cited?Bibliography If there are statistics or research used, the sources should be clearly cited.

Purpose/Objectivity Websites are created for a reason. Sometimes the authors want to present facts. Sometimes they want to change your opinions or beliefs. Sometimes they want to sell you something. And sometimes their purposes aren’t clear. Maybe to entertain? Knowing who is responsible for the page will help you figure out the purpose. Is the information biased? Do they have a reason to distort the facts?Is the information biased? Do they have a reason to distort the facts? Why was this written and for whom?Why was this written and for whom Is there any advertising on the page; are they trying to sell something?Is there any advertising on the page; are they trying to sell something?

Is there a political agenda? Take a look at the organization that hosts this site about Martin Luther King: Stormfront promotes what it calls "white nationalism" or "white pride" (usually called white supremacy). It is not an organization devoted to history.

Purpose/Coverage What topics are covered?topics are covered What does this page offer that is not found elsewhere?this page offer Is it free or is there a fee? Are the topics discussed in-depth, or just highlighted?

Getting Assistance Accuracy is difficult for a non-expert to evaluate, but considering the factors covered here will help. If you have doubts, show the information to someone knowledgeable in the subject matter, such as a colleague or ask your librarian for assistance.

Putting it together Putting it together Examples of reputable websites for research purposes and fact checkers Oncolink The Christian Science Monitor Smithsonian Institute Snopes.com Factcheck.org

Sources used Sources used: Bryant, Nik. "Reference & Instruction: Evaluating Information: Applying the CRAAP Test." Cheyenne, Wyoming: Meriam Library, n.d. Print htmlhttp://panther.indstate.edu/tutorials/websites/introduction. html