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ASC 101 Common Reading Research Guide 2011-2012: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks: Evaluating Sources

This guide introduces first-year students to the Michael Schwartz Library. The guide will help students complete the evaluative annotated bibliography that is part of the Common Reading Research Project assignment for ASC 101.

Evaluating Sources

Before using any information you should critically evaluate source, especially if it is from a website.  

Put it through the CRAAP Test

CURRENCY: Is the material current? Does it contain outdated or disproven information? Is the site updated regularly?

RELEVANCE: Does the source answer your questions?  Does it provide useful information? Is it too complicated to understand or too elementary?

AUTHORITY: Who is the author? What can you find out about them? Can you determine their credentials? Are they a qualified expert? Is the author's contact info listed?

ACCURACY: What evidence does the author use? Are facts documented? Is there a bibliography?

PURPOSE: Why was the information created: to inform, to sell, to persuade? Is it fact or opinion? Is the information biased? 

The CRAAP Test was created by Merriam Library, California State University at Chico