Skip to Main Content
Link to CSU Home
Link to CSU Home
Students in the Library

Michael Schwartz Library

216.687.2478
Students in the Connection Lounge
Michael Schwartz Library

ENG 102: College Writing II

Tools and resources to help you conquer the research for your informative synthesis and/or argumentative papers.

Evaluating Sources

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

Put it through the CRA(A)P Test

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 Does it contain outdated or disproven information?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

RELEVANCE/RELIABILITY: 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

Primary and Secondary Sources