Sustainability Literacy: How to evaluate websites

The CRAAP test is an effective and simple mechanism for critically evaluating sources for use in your academic projects and assignments. Developed by the Library at California State University, Chico it will empower you by assessing sources in terms of the following five criteria:

1. Currency Is the website current, providing the 'created' date and 'last updated' information? For example, medical and scientific information usually needs to be current. But currency alone doesn’t verify the credibility of this type of resource. Does the website mention/link to a study or source? Look up the source/study. Do you think it’s being accurately reflected and reported? Can you confirm their quotes elsewhere?

Check the following 

• When was the information published or posted? Here's how to check the date of publication and last update.
• Has the information been revised or updated?
• Is the information current or out-of date for your topic?
• Are the links working?   

2. Relevance It is easy to go off on a tangent when searching for information online, so always ask yourself is this information relevant to the research you are doing?

• Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
• Who is the intended audience?
• Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too basic or too advanced for your needs)?
• Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?
• Would you be comfortable using this source for a research paper?

3. Authority Who wrote the content? Is the author listed and what does the author know about the subject?

If you are trying to take a stand on an issue, a biased source may be acceptable as long as it is coming from a reliable source, someone with authority. Ask yourself the following questions: 

• Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
• Are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given?
• What are the author's qualifications to write on the topic?
• Is there contact information, such as a publisher or e-mail address?
• Does the URL (web address) reveal anything about the author or source?
  •  examples:
    • .com (commercial), .edu (educational), .gov (U.S. government), .ac.uk (UK Educational Institution)
    • .org (nonprofit organization), or
    • .net (network)

3. Accuracy Is the online resource objective, truthful, correct? Does it present both sides of an issue? Or is the information presented to sway the audience to a particular point of view? Who is the audience--a certain political group, adults, children, researchers? Depending on your purpose for using the web resource, the intended audience needs to be taken into consideration.

• Where does the information come from?
• Is the information supported by evidence?
• Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
• Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
• Does the language or tone seem biased and free of emotion?
• Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors?

5. Purpose Why is this information on the internet? 

• What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, persuade, teach, sell, entertain, or provoke argument? 
• Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear? Does the author have an agenda? 
• Is the information fact, opinion, or propaganda?
• Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
• Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?