Evaluating Resources
With so much information at our fingertips, it's important to be able to critically evaluate information to distinguish trustworthy and relevant information from unreliable and irrelevant data. For example, when searching online for information to support an essay, being able to tell if a website is a suitable, high quality source is vital. The ability to evaluate information is not just a useful skill at college and university, but also in life in general. There is a growing problem of online misinformation over the last decade, so being able to spot when the information you're presented with may be false or heavily biased will ensure you stay well informed. (See Misinformation / Fake News)
On this page you will find several tools and techniques to help you evaluate information, as well as useful resources and links for further reading.
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Getting Critical with CRAAP
One method of evaluating an information source is to apply the CRAAP test. This stands for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy and Purpose. These criteria are useful measures of a source's credibility, so use these prompts to kickstart your evaluation.
Currency
How recent is the information?
The importance of currency depends on your topic. You may need to think carefully about when your sources were published. An older source isn't necessarily a bad source, but more recently published books and articles tend to provide more up-to-date and reliable information. For example, articles published in the 90s won't help you if you're writing an essay on contemporary crime statistics, but if you were doing a comparison of crime statistics over time, you would need sources from many different decades.
Relevance
Is the information relevant to your research question or assignment objectives?
The information you use should directly address your research question. It should also be the appropriate level for you needs - not too simplistic and not too advanced. Always consider if your sources offers unique information that you haven't seen in other sources.
Authority
Who is the author or publisher?
Is the author an expert in this field? Check their credentials and affiliations.
In the case of websites, check the domain to see if its commercial, education or governmental.
A source's authority is one of the most significant indicators of its reliability.
Accuracy
How reliable, truthful or correct is the information?
Look at the evidence provided and see if it's supported by the data or research. Has the information been reviewed or vetted? For example, journal articles published in peer-reviewed journals hold more credibility. Books recommended by your tutors or library information advisers are more reliable/
Also think about the language of the information source. Is it clearly relying on supported evidence and citations? Or is it make emotional driven arguments? This could be an indication of bias, or a source with an agenda.
Purpose
For what reason does the information exist?
Has the information been produced to inform, to sell a product, to persuade readers to a certain opinion, or to entertain?
Lateral Reading
In traditional research or reading, an individual might deeply engage with a single source, reading it from top to bottom and trying to glean its validity from the content alone. Lateral reading, on the other hand, is about moving outside the initial source and conducting quick searches about the information or the organisation presenting it. Instead of diving deep into a single source, you're skimming across multiple sources to validate the first.
How to read laterally
- Open New Tabs: When confronted with a new piece of information or claim, open new tabs in your browser to check the information from other sources.
- Check the Publisher: Before even diving into the content, ascertain who is behind the information. What is the reputation of the organization or author? Have they been reliable in the past?
- Fact-checking Sites: Websites like Snopes, FactCheck.org, and others are designed to debunk false stories and can be handy tools in the lateral reading process.
- Cross-reference with Trusted Sources: If a claim or piece of news seems dubious, check trusted news outlets or official websites to see if they report the same information.
- Look for Expert Opinions and Consensus: If an article claims a specific scientific fact, see if this fact is also acknowledged by experts or scholarly journals in the field.
Resources about Critically Evaluating Information
Check That Fact by ISBN: 9781529759785Publication Date: 2021-10-29Knowing how to check and challenge information is essential for academic study - and our everyday lives. This practical guide shows you how to be savvy about using sources and improve your information literacy. Learn techniques for efficient and effective fact-checking Find out how to evaluate whether a source is credible Identify and challenge misinformation in academia and beyond. Super Quick Skills provide the essential building blocks you need to succeed at university - fast. Packed with practical, positive advice on core academic and life skills, you'll discover focused tips and strategies to use straight away. Whether it's writing great essays, understanding referencing or managing your wellbeing, find out how to build good habits and progress your skills throughout your studies. Learn core skills quickly Apply right away and see results Succeed in your studies and life. Super Quick Skills give you the foundations you need to confidently navigate the ups and downs of university life.
Read Critically by ISBN: 9781529713350Publication Date: 2020-04-02Critical reading is the foundation of good research. Read Critically gives you the knowledge and tools you need to be able to extract meaning from texts and judge its quality, relevance and significance. Understand your assignment question Know how to think critically, and in turn read critically Write critically and ace your assignment. Super Quick Skills provides the essential building blocks you need to succeed at university - fast. Packed with practical, positive advice on core academic and life skills, you'll discover focused tips and strategies to use straight away. Whether it's writing great essays, understanding referencing or managing your wellbeing, find out how to build good habits and progress your skills throughout your studies. Learn core skills quickly Apply them right away and see results Succeed in your studies and in life Super Quick Skills gives you the foundations you need to confidently navigate the ups and downs of university life.
Information Skills by Call Number: Pale Blue Zone – Month Loan 028.7 GRIISBN: 9780230222502Publication Date: 2010-05-25Skills for finding information are essential for academic study and beyond. This illustrated guide provides practical advice on how to source and use the right resources. It includes guidance on how to carry out a literature review as well as the skills needed for finding and evaluating information.
Critical Thinking Skills by Call Number: Pale Blue Zone – Month Loan 370.152 COTISBN: 9781350322585Publication Date: 2023-03-23Critical Thinking Skills provides an easy to follow, step by step guide to developing analytical reasoning skills and applying them to tasks such as reading, note-making and writing. A complex subject is broken down into easy to understand blocks, with clear explanations, good examples, and plenty of activities to develop understanding at each stage. Students can use this book to: · Critically assess other people's arguments · Recognise flawed reasoning · Evaluate the material used to support arguments · Apply critical thinking when reading, writing and making notes · Write excellent essays and reports.
Getting Critical by Call Number: Pale Blue Zone – Week Loan 370.152 WILISBN: 9780230584761Publication Date: 2012-05-15Students need to think critically about what they read or hear. This accessible guide shows students what being 'critical' in their work means, and how to bring that 'critical' dimension into all the work they do. It addresses the need and the skills of being critical in relation to reading and writing and is ideal for students at any level.
Critical Thinking by Call Number: Pale Blue Zone – Month Loan 370.152 CHAISBN: 9781473947146Publication Date: 2017-11-23Critical thinking is a set of techniques. You just need to learn them. So here's your personal toolkit for demystifying critical engagement. I'll show you how to sharpen your critical thinking by developing and practicing this set of skills, so you can... Spot an argument and get why reasoning matters Sniff out errors and evaluate evidence Understand and account for bias Become a savvy user of technology Develop clear, confident critical writing.
Help with evaluating information
If in doubt and you're not sure about the quality of a source, you can always ask your Library Information Adviser for help.