Ascension - WI

Search Tips & Tutorials: Evaluating Sources

Evaluating Health Info on the Web

See Also - for Critical Appraisal

If you want to go even deeper, there are many evidence-based practice checklists out there to help evaluate the clinical literature.

Evaluate Your Sources with the CRAAP Test

Is your information reliable and accurate?  Apply the C.R.A.A.P. 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  • Is the information current or out-of-date for your topic?
  • If the source is a webpage are the links functional?

Relevance - The usefulness 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?
  • Can it help you find other information related to your topic?
  • 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 e-mail address?
  • If the source is a webpage does the URL reveal anything about the author or source? examples: .com .edu .gov .org .net

Accuracy - The correctness and reliability of the information

  • 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 unbiased and free of emotion?
  • Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors?

Purpose - The reason for the information

  • Is the author free from a conflict of interest that would bias what she or he has to say? (i.e. they work for the company on which they are reporting; they have stock in the product they are testing, etc.)
  • 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?

*Modified version of CRAAP Test created by Meriam Library at California State University, Chico.

Evaluating Resources

Evaluating resources in both your work and personal lives is a practical skill.  With practice, you can learn to critically evaluate every source and website you come across, quickly and efficiently.   There are multiple methods used to evaluate information, and some work better than others, depending on the information.

Read closely. Question sources that contain:

    • Claims that cannot be verified through other means
    • Biased or inflammatory language
    • Dead or self-referential links
    • No information about the author, especially if the corporate author is unknown or untrustworthy.

 

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Need Assistance? We are happy to help! Please contact Your Librarian :

Michele Matucheski, MLIS, AHIP
Medical Librarian - Ascension Wisconsin
Phone  (920) 223-0340
Email   Michele.Matucheski@ascension.org

Available Monday - Friday

WIMedLibrary@ascension.org

 

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