1. Evaluating Websites Sorting out all the CRAAP on the internet

2. Why Evaluate? Anyone can create a website Their “facts” don’t have to be true No one monitors the content on the internet There are millions of websites available, both good and bad

3. When Evaluating a Website… Think critically Use your common sense! Compare multiple sources ALWAYS cite your sources

4. How to Sort Out the CRAAP C urrency R elevance A uthority A ccuracy P urpose

5. Currency When was the page last updated? This information is often difficult to find or not available How current are the links? Are some links broken? How sophisticated is the website? (Just text? Links? Includes pictures/video?)

8. Relevance What topics are covered? Are they relevant to your topic? How in depth is the material? Does the site have links for further information? Does the site have enough information to research?

9. Authority Is there an author? If so, is this person/group credible? Look for a header or footer that shows affiliation Look at the URL http://www.fns.usda.govhttp://www.fns.usda.gov Look at the domain name.gov.edu.org.net.com It is often hard to determine a website’s authorship Are there references/sources listed? Remember: Anyone can post anything on the web!

12. Top Level Domains.edu = higher education (colleges).k-12 = elementary and secondary schools.com = commercial.gov = government agency.mil = military.org = nonprofit organization.net = computer network

13. Accuracy Is the information reliable and error-free? Is there an editor or someone who verifies the facts? (this is often difficult to determine) Currently, there are no standards in place to check for website accuracy. This is the most difficult part of CRAAP to determine.

14. Purpose Is the website biased? Is the website designed to sway opinion? Is there advertising on the site? http://www.fns.usda.gov/slp http://fedupwithlunch.com/ http://www.ecoliteracy.org/downloads/rethinking- school-lunch-guide http://www.ecoliteracy.org/downloads/rethinking- school-lunch-guide

15. What Else Should I Look For? A lot of pop-ups and obnoxious ads Anyone selling something (including a subscription to the website) The author is trying to persuade you to see their point of view Unrealistic promises (You’ll make millions your first week!)

16. Reliable or CRAAP? http://www.timetravelfund.com/ http://www.stephenswork.com/funkyshoes/index.html http://www.si.edu/ http://www.stearns.org/fun/afdb/afdb.html http://www.ci.galesburg.il.us/ http://www.treasury.gov/auctions/irs/ http://www.geoffmetcalf.com/bread.html http://rythospital.com/ http://havidol.com/index.php