COMP110 - Michele Malloy: Evaluating Websites

Finding reliable, unbiased information on the free Web can be tough and VERY time consuming! Apply this test (C.R.A.A.P.) to evaluate the websites you find on Google and other serach engines. There are faster ways to get to quality information.

• Limit yourself to US Government or College and University websites using Google Advanced Search. 

               Click here for a short tutorial on using Google Advanced Search.

• Find quality websites easily using ipl2.  This is a collection of links to reliable websites evaluated and chosen by librarians.  Search for your topic using the search box or browse their resources by subject area.

Evaluating Web sites?
There is a lot of good information to be found online. That said, there is much to consider when using a web source.
Consider the following:

• What is the the domain (e.g.: .org, .com, .edu, etc.)?
• Is an author listed? Is there any indication of the author's credentials or institutional affiliation?
• Is there any indication of the date of the information?
• Can you corroborate information with a published source?

Still not sure? Then give the web site the CRAAP test:

Currency – Has the site been updated recently?  Do the links still work? Do the graphics still load? When was the article copyrighted?

Relevance – Is this article about the topic you’re researching? Who is the intended audience (college students, K-12, professors)?

Authority – What are the author’s credentials? What is the publisher’s angle? Is contact information provided?

Accuracy – Are sources cited for the claims made? Has the information been reviewed? Can you verify the facts? Are there spelling or other errors?

Purpose – Is the article intended to persuade? Does the author make the intent clear? Does it seem impartial or biased?