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Research Tips

Alternative Methods for Source Evaluation

Directions: To evaluate a source for an assignment, answer "Yes" or "No" to the questions below.

Audience   

Is the level of the resource appropriate to your needs?                            

Does the text use scholarly or technical language?                             

Does the text assume the reader is well educated in the discipline? 

Does the resource explore one issue or topic in detail?                          

Accuracy    

Is the resource free of errors and disproven theories?                               

Does the resource agree with other sources for similar information?       

Is documentation or evidence provided for the author’s argument (Look for in-text references and citations or a bibliography)?         

Is there an explanation of the research method (For items that are primarily about a research study)?                                         

Bias             

Does the resource present information in an objective manner?                 

Are all sides of an issue represented?                                                           

If not, can you determine the bias?                                                              

Credibility  

Is an author identified?                                                                  

Are the author’s credentials and associations clearly noted?          

Is the author an expert in this field?                                                

Is the sponsor or publisher well known and reputable?                     

Currency    

Was the information published recently?                                          

Has the content been revised or updated recently?                          

Relevance  

Does the information add to or support your research?                                

Does the resource provide references that are useful?                               

Looking at items marked “N”, are your sources weakened? Why or why not?

Evaluating Websites Using the CRAAP Test
 
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• Is the information current or out-of-date for your topic?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 qualifications to write on the topic?
• Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?
• Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source? examples: .com .edu .gov .org .net
 
Accuracy: The reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the informational 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?

STAR Criteria: Evaluating Evidence

Sufficiency

When you look at the evidence you’ve gathered, your first job is to see if it’s sufficient enough for the scope of your project. In other words, will it be enough to satisfy both the requirements of the project as well as the rhetorical purpose of the project? That is, will your professor pass it and will its intended audience believe it is well-grounded in research? Think about these questions as you check over your evidence.

Typicality

Next, examine whether or not your evidence is typical of the greater evidence surrounding this issue. In other words, you cannot simply cherry-pick evidence to support a preconceived thesis statement. If you do, you would be acting as an irresponsible researcher and you’d most likely lose credibility with your audience. However, typicality doesn’t mean that you have to conform to already accepted norms. You simply have to be aware of typicality and be able to analyze your evidence intelligently based on trends and extremes.

Accuracy

Accuracy seems like a simple bit of criteria; however, you’d be surprised by how many students often use evidence that is plain wrong or inaccurate. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is relying on evidence that is seriously dated. Make sure your evidence is reasonably dated and provides information that is accurate and not vague.

Relevance

Finally, check to make sure that your evidence is something that your audience would find relevant to the project. Simply including evidence to meet a basic requirement that you use four books and four websites will not be good for your credibility as a researcher.