English 9 / Unit 10: Vocabulary and Research Skills
10.6 Evaluating Sources
Notes
Not every source is trustworthy. Check sources with the CRAAP test.
- Currency: Is it recent enough for the topic?
- Relevance: Does it answer your question?
- Authority: Who wrote it? Are they an expert? Is it from a respected organization?
- Accuracy: Is it supported by evidence? Can you verify it elsewhere?
- Purpose: Is it meant to inform, or to sell or persuade? Is it biased?
- Domains give clues: .gov (government) and .edu (schools) are often reliable; .com and .org vary and need checking.
- Lateral reading: open new tabs to see what other sources say about the site or author.
Practice
A student researching current smartphone safety finds an article from 2009. Which CRAAP criterion is the main concern?
Technology information from 2009 is likely outdated.
Which source is most reliable for facts about the measles vaccine?
Government health agencies have expertise and accountability.
An article claiming a drink cures colds is published on the drink company's website. The biggest problem is:
A seller has a strong reason to be biased.
Ready for more? Take the Unit 10 test.