Evaluating Sources

What makes a source reliable?


There are many resources available on the Internet that you will find through a simple Google search. Some of this information is useful and accurate and some is not. 

Can you recognize a reliable website?


An easy way to evaluate sources on the Internet is by using the CRAAP Test.  Consider the following criteria:

Criteria

Questions to consider

Currency

  • How current is the information?  Is the information current enough for YOUR topic?
  • When was the source published, created, or updated?

Relevance

  • Is the information relevant to your topic?
  • Who is the target audience for this resource? Children? Academics? Students? Scientists?

Authority

  • Who created the source, or who is the author? Is it an individual, a corporation, an organization or association?
  • What are the credentials of the author? Do they have a PhD? Experience in the field? Do they have a good reputation?

Accuracy

  • Are sources or references given to support the information or evidence provided?
  • Are there spelling or grammar errors?
  • Can you find similar or the same information in other credible sources?

Purpose

  • Is the information provided factual only, or is it opinion and biased?
  • is the source trying to sell you something, or persuade you to a particular point of view?



The CRAAP Test is used and encouraged by researchers in schools and post-secondary institutions throughout Canada and the US. Here is a link to a downloadable PDF file from NAIT.

   Check Your Understanding



  1. Research question: Is Dihydrogen Monoxide really dangerous?  Website:  http://www.dhmo.org/
Did you remember that two hydrogens (dihydrogen) and one oxygen (monoxide) = water (H2O)?
There is a LOT of scientific 'data' available. How accruate is it?
Did you notice:
  • the Note in small print under the Last Update date?
  • the prevalence of fundraising widgets?
  • that you can't actually send feedback to the site?
  • that the site provides the username and password to the restricted 'Press Only' section?
  • could you find the discussion forums promoted in the first paragraph?
    1. Research question: How can we protect the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus? Website:  https://zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/
    This site looks amazing. Did you notice that you can:
    • look at photos of the Pacific Northwest tree octopus
    • watch videos of the octopus
    • download plans to build your own tree octopus house

    Did you notice:

    • what percentage of profit from tree octopus products sold on the site go to support protecting the species?
    • what the site's opinion of textbook publishers is?
    • the detailed descriptions in the Sightings tab?
    • the Links tab...is engaging reading

    However, all of this is an elaborate hoax. Did you fall for it?

    1. Research question:  Why does everyone love chocolate? Website:  https://www.history.com/news/the-sweet-history-of-chocolate
    Did you notice:
    • This website is connected to the History Channel television station?
    • It presents an interesting, albeit abbreviated, history of chocolate.
    • Does this site help you address the research question?
    • What happens when you click on "Contact us!"?

    This is a reliable website, although it may not provide too much information for the report. Care would need to be taken to avoid plagiarism.

      1. Research question:  Who was the most important Canadian explorer? Website:  https://www.allaboutexplorers.com/
      This site is full of biographies, images and graphics. However, very few of them are accurate.
      Did you notice:
      • is the tagline realistic? "Everything you ever wanted to know about every explorer who ever lived...and more"?
      • anything odd about the biographies on the site? If not,  (re) read Jacques Cartier and see how many misleading pieces of information you can identify. (You will need to remember some of the Canadian history you have learned in previous grades.)
      • many of the related links could actually  be helpful
      • they offer good advice on the Reliable Research sources page (the References page)
      • the creators come clean with respect to the authenticity of the site on the About tab?
      1. Research question:  How could an environment like Dog Island be created for cats? Website:  http://www.thedogisland.com/
      This website looks like a great idea! What dog wouldn't love to live on Dog Island?
      Did you notice:
      • There are lots of links - all dog related.
      • The weather and statistics links add an air of authenticity.
      • What does the "Send your dog' tab make you think about?
      • Do any of the employment opportunities identified on "Working on Dog Island" sound odd?
      • What does the author think of dog food? (check the FAQ page - and read the other entries while you are there)
      • Would you enjoy visiting Vacation Island?

      This site is very subtle. But it is an elaborate hoax. Could you see the clues?