What are three of the five criteria discussed in your textbook for evaluating the information you find in your research?

Currency : the timeliness of the information

• If relevant, when was the information gathered?
• When was it posted?
• When was it last revised?
• Are links functional and up-to-date?
• Is there evidence of newly added information or links?

Relevance : the uniqueness of the content and its importance for your needs.

• What is the depth and breadth of the information presented?
• Is the information unique?
• Is it available elsewhere, in print or electronic format?
• Could you find the same or better information in another source?
• Who is the intended audience? Is this easily determined?
• Does the site provide the information you need? Your overall assessment is important. Would you be comfortable using this source for a research paper?

Authority : the source of the information

• Who is the author/creator/sponsor?
• Are author's credentials listed?
• Is the author a teacher or student of the topic? Does the author have a reputation?
• Is there contact information, such as an e-mail address? Has the author published works in traditional formats?
• Is the author affiliated with an organization? Does this organization appear to support or sponsor the page?

Accuracy: the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the information

• Where does the information come from?
• Are the original sources of information listed?
• Can you verify any of the information in independent sources or from your own knowledge?
• Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
• Does the language or tone seem biased?
• Are there spelling, grammar, or other typos?

Purpose : the presence of bias or prejudice

• Are possible biases clearly stated?
• Is advertising content vs. informational content easily distinguishable?
• Are editorials clearly labeled?
• Is the purpose of the page stated?
  
• Is the purpose to: inform? teach? entertain? enlighten? sell? persuade?

Source - Meriam Library at California State University, Chico: http://www.csuchico.edu/lins/handouts/eval_websites.pdf

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CRAAP is an acronym for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose. Use the CRAAP Test to evaluate your sources.

Currency: the timeliness of the information

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• Is the information current or out-of date for your topic?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

Relevance: the importance of the information for your needs

• Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
• Who is the intended audience?
• Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?
• Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?
• Would you be comfortable using this source for a research paper?

Authority: the source of the information

• Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
• Are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given?
• What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given?
• What are the author's qualifications to write on the topic?
• Is there contact information, such as a publisher or e-mail address?
• Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?
  •  examples:
    • .com (commercial), .edu (educational), .gov (U.S. government)
    • .org (nonprofit organization), or
    • .net (network)

Accuracy: the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content

• 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 typographical errors?

Purpose: the reason the information exists

• What is the purpose of the information? to inform? teach? sell? entertain? persuade?
• Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
• Is the information fact? opinion? propaganda?
• Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
• Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?

What are the three of the five criteria discussed in your notes for evaluating the information you find in your research?

What are the 5 criteria of evaluation?

What are three 3 criteria you can use in evaluating the credibility of an information source?

What are the criteria of evaluating sources of information?