Library Guides: Research Survival Guide: Evaluate and Cite

Evaluating and Citing Resources

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Evaluating what you've found is very important to ensure that you are using credible, relevant sources that you can trust! Being a savvy information consumer is a skill that is useful not only in college but also after you graduate. Use the tools described below to evaluate your sources. Then, it's on to citing your sources. Avoid plagiarism and foster academic integrity by always citing sources you use in your paper.

Evaluating Sources: The CRAAP Test

One way to evaluate sources for research purposes is to use the C.R.A.A.P. test. C.R.A.A.P. is an acronym that is described below.

C - Currency

Check the date of publication of the resource. On websites, this can sometimes be found at the bottom of the page or in the “About” section. For most research, it is important to use the most up-to-date information available (unless you are doing historical research). In most library databases, you can find a date filter that will allow you to narrow your results to a certain date range.

R - Relevance

Make sure the source is relevant to and appropriate for the topic you are researching. For example, in most cases, you would not use a children’s encyclopedia as a source for a college-level research paper unless you were researching a children’s perspective. Sometimes, your professor will ask you to use peer-reviewed sources only. Consider your original research question and if the source aligns with that focus.

A - Authority

Check to see who authored the source and if they are qualified to provide the information. Do they have the education and experience to be an "authority" on the subject? You can sometimes find the author in the “About” section of a website. Conduct research to find out their background and credentials. Check the publisher of a book or article to see if it is reputable. Google the author's name to see if you can find information about them.

A - Accuracy

Is the source accurate? One way to find out is to determine if the information can be verified in other sources. Is there a list of references at the end of the book or article and are there valid, credible references to sources showing the evidence? If you received the references via a search using generative AI, are the references valid? Search for the references in the library's databases or ask for help from the library if you are not sure. Is the information peer-reviewed?

P - Purpose

What is the purpose of the source? Is it meant to sway your opinion? Does it portray a particular bias? Or has it been written for informational or educational purposes? Ensure the source has been created to provide objective, bias-free information.

Using the CRAAP Test

In most of the Library's databases, there is a Cite or Citation link so you can collect citations as you find them in the databases. Note that sometimes there are errors in these citations, so it is a good idea to check them against the correct formatting in the APA Guide. Below is an image of the Citation icon in the Search Everything tool and the citation that appears once clicked.

Citation in the Search Everything tool

Now that you have gathered all of your resources and citations, it's time to put your citations and references together in your paper!

APA Guide

The SIFT Method

When evaluating content generated from generative AI, it is crucial to take the extra step and assess the content to ensure that you're not using incorrect information. Failure to do so could result in a failing grade. The SIFT method, created by digital literacy expert Mike Caulfield, is an evaluation strategy designed to help assess the credibility and reliability of online content. Using this method, you can determine if the information generated by generative AI is factual.

All SIFT information on this page is adapted or copied from Mike Caulfield's SIFT materials (as noted on his HAPGOOD website) with a CC BY 4.0 license .

The Learning Portal

Evaluating Information

Visit the Evaluating Your Resources module in The Learning Portal for strategies and tools that will help you to evaluate information.

The Learning Portal - College Libraries Ontario

Citation

Visit the Citation module in The Learning Portal to learn about citation and academic integrity.