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Grade 9

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Making critical choices about information sources to use.

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Learn about Evaluating Sources: CRAP Test

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Learn about Evaluating Sources: CRAP Test

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Video

This video was created for CCCOnline by Stefanie Stephens.

The CRAP Test?

Steiner, Peter. "On the Internet, Nobody Knows You're a Dog." Cartoon. The New

Yorker 5 July 1993: n. pag. The New Yorker. Web. 10 Dec. 2014.

What is the CRAP Test?

The CRAP Test, developed by Molly Beestrum, is a helpful tool to use when trying to decide if a website is a credible, valid source. The CRAP Test looks at four major areas: currency, reliability, authority and purpose. When determining whether a website is credible or not, evaluate it on those four areas. Here are a few suggestions to help you think through your evaluation process.

Currency

How recent is the information?

How recently has the website been updated?

Is it current enough for your topic?

Reliability

What kind of information is included in the resource?

Is content of the resource primarily opinion? Is is balanced?

Does the creator provide references or sources for data or quotations?

Authority

Who is the creator or author?

What are the credentials? Can you find any information about the author's background?

Who is the published or sponsor?

Are they reputable?

What is the publisher's interest (if any) in this information?

Are there advertisements on the website? If so, are they cleared marked?

Purpose/Point of View

Is this fact or opinion? Does the author list sources or cite references?

Is it biased? Does the author seem to be trying to push an agenda or particular side?

Is the creator/author trying to sell you something? If so, is it clearly stated?

Adapted with gratitude from Molly Beestrum.

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LibGuides: Learn about Evaluating Sources: CRAP Test

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Skip to main content It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older. This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results. This video was created for CCCOnline by Stefanie Stephens.

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Research Skills - Choosing Credible Sources

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Research Skills - Choosing Credible Sources

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Research Skills - Choosing Credible Sources

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What is a Credible Source? How to Evaluate Web Resources

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What is a Credible Source? How to Evaluate Web Resources

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Practically anyone can create a website.

Schools, businesses, government entities, churches, and libraries create websites so people can learn more about what they do.

Individuals can create personal sites or blogs to write about their families, friends, work, or any other subject.

Corporations can make websites to promote their products, and political activists can publish websites to promote their cause. Anyone with an idea and internet access can create a website and fill it with just about any content they want.

As of 2018, there are over 1.8 billion websites in the world, many of which are protected by free speech and anti-censorship laws. Website owners can print anything they want, true or not, without worrying about the consequences.

As a result, life online has undoubtedly changed the procedures used to gather and assess information forever.

Even in the cut-and-paste Age of Wikipedia, evaluating sources based on their authority, relevance, and accuracy is still a requirement for serious writers.

Bad sources, like bad seeds, can bear bitter fruit for those who use them.

Fortunately, the oceans of data and globe-spanning inter-connectivity of the internet make verifying sources easier than ever as well.

There are time-honored practices of using primary sources, identifying their authors, and verifying the accuracy of the information they provide. But writers can use additional tools to keep their sources credible and authoritative.

Some, such as Grammarly's Plagiarism Checker, can be used to make sure the content being cited is original. Other tools, such as the Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University, provide in-depth advice and examples for evaluating sources both on and off the web.

The future of written communication is surely set not in stone, but in the glowing ether of cyberspace. Yet as long as humans continue to rely on the written word for the exchange of information, wisdom, and insight, effective and compelling writing will demand sources that are credible, authoritative, and accurate.

With so much content and so little oversite, determining which information is reliable can be a daunting task. But failing to do so could leave you looking foolish or worse. Thankfully, there are some easy steps you can take to evaluate the credibility of a website.

Tips for Checking the Source

How did you find your source? Top results in Google are often won by commercial websites with big budgets. Sources found via social media have the same problem. Read the tips below to get an idea of what to look for online.

This guide will help you whether you are a hobbyist web surfer or a professional or academic researcher. What's more, we have links to resources with even more in-depth information on things like primary and secondary sources.

Start with Sites You Know

If we had to choose between getting your world news from The New York Times or Smitty's Basement Newspaper, most of us would grab the Times, because it's a name we know and trust.

The same is true for internet research. If you want to know the results of last week's election, visiting your favorite news outlet's website is a great place to start.

If you want tips on investing, pick an investing company you respect and see if their website provides the information you're looking for.

There may be better information out there, but starting with a company you already trust is a good way to narrow your search. Then if you do decide to look up information from other sources, you can compare it to what you found first.

If the election results on Smitty's Web Press don't agree with the ones you found on BBC News, chances are Smitty is not the most reliable journalist.

Another helpful tip is to look at the date of an article as well as the dates attached to studies and resources within an article.

If an article cites a study done 10 years ago, it brings into question the reliability of the information. This is especially true if there are more recent studies available on the subject.

Another good indication that an article may be outdated is broken or "dead links."

Many website articles include links that visitors can click on for more information (like those at the bottom of this page). If those links don't go anywhere, chances are the article is old. One dead link is probably nothing to worry about, but a bunch of them should raise a red flag.

The creator of a legitimate website will take the time to keep links up to date so visitors can learn more. The presence of dead links is a good indication that the website is no longer maintained.

Check Credentials

One of the best ways to evaluate an article or other type of content published online is to check the author's credentials. If you're looking for information about toothaches, a certified dentist who has been practicing for over 20 years is a more reliable source than a hobbyist with a blog.

If the author provides a list of references to validate their credentials, even better. Remember, you can write anything you want online, so just because someone says they're a dentist doesn't mean they actually are.

Many sites, including trusted news sites, leave the writing of articles to staff or freelance writers. These may not be professionals in the field they're writing about; however, the best of them will rely on professional sources and often include quotes from experts.

Check the TLD and Domain

One of the simplest ways to determine the credibility of an online resource is to look at the purpose of the website, which can often be learned from the ending of the site's address.

Every website ends in a Top Level Domain (TLD). This is the bit after the last period in the domain name. For instance, WhoIsHostingThis.com ends in .com, which lets you know that this is a commercial website.

It the most popular TLD on the internet and can be used by any person, business, or other entity, which means if you're researching something, .com sites require more evaluation that some other types of sites.

Make sure to start with those trusted sources, and then look for any potential bias. Businesses often use .com for their sites, and in most cases, those sites are created to help them sell a product or service.

Therefore, any information on their website is liable to have a bias toward getting a visitor to buy whatever it is that's for sale there. If you're looking for an honest comparison between iOS and Android, you should assume that anything you find on Apple.com is going to have a major bias toward the former.

Alternatively, an address that ends in .edu belongs to an educational institution such as a college or university.

A visitor may find an article there written by a professor who is an expert on a particular topic. The professor may include their credentials at the end of the article as well as citations. These elements serve to make the website a more reliable online resource.

As a note, students are also able to contribute to many .edu websites. It's a good idea to look for citations when dealing with a student's writing to ensure credibility.

Also, if you're searching for information for a research paper, you probably need to look for peer-reviewed articles. Just because a professor publishes something on a .edu website doesn't mean their peers have reviewed and validated the information.

An address that ends in .gov is a government website. If you're looking for reliable information about government policy, tax codes, or a political office, these sites are a great place to start.

The TLD .org was originally intended to be used by non-profit organizations, but any organization can register a .org address. Much like .com sites, you should expect that anything you read on a .org site will have a bias toward that particular organization's mission or goals.

At the time of this writing, there were over 700 top-level domains available, including everything from .barber to .ninja.

While these unique TLDs may prove useful when you are looking for a particular type of service, they can't guarantee the credibility of any content. It's always beneficial to read all online articles with a critical eye.

Digging Deeper

If you're still not sure, do a little snooping. Read other articles on the site, particularly ones written by the same author. Do you trust their opinion on other topics? Is the writing consistent and strong? Do articles seem unbelievable or even made up?

Facebook feeds are notorious for posting articles from the fake news site The Onion as factual stories! Reading other articles may also help you detect a website's biases - nearly all sites have them - so you can better judge the information they're presenting.

The presence of many misspellings on a website is also a clue that it's not a credible resource. Someone who creates a legitimate website designed to provide people with factual information takes care with both spelling and grammar in order to appear more professional.

Check Your Local Library

The internet is a great source of information, but when accuracy counts, the library is still one of the best places to do research. Most libraries now allow patrons to utilize their research tools online, so you can still do your research from the comfort of your computer chair.

Libraries have access to research databases, many of which require a subscription and aren't available through traditional search engines. These databases allow you to search for articles in print and online journals and books.

Since many of these resources are peer-reviewed, the information you find in them is not only written by professionals but has been reviewed and approved by other professionals within their field.

Don't Trust Your First Source

Finally, no matter where you find information, it's a good idea to double-check it against other sources. You can do this by performing additional online research or checking some print publications at the library.

If you find the same information on several other legitimate websites as well as in a print publication, it increases the odds that the information is accurate.

Step-by-Step Guide to Evaluating Web Resources

Now that you know the overview of finding and evaluating web resources, you can use this guide to help you with the process in a step-by-step manner.

Check the URL

Who Wrote It?

Find out who is accountable for the information.

1. Personal Pages:

1. Not always reliable, try to learn more about the author.

2. URL usually includes the person's name.
If their name isn't the site name, it will likely be in the URL after a tilde or percentage sign.

2. Type of Domain:
The domain type should match the content type:

1. .com = commercial

2. .edu = educational

3. .mil = military

4. .gov = government

5. .org = nonprofit

3. Who Published It?

1. Find the agency or person that published the article

2. Reliable publisher = reliable content and authors

3. Look at the first part of the URL between http:// and the first /.

Timeliness

An outdated source is not always credible.

1. Find the author/organization responsible for the content.

2. Look for a link or About Me/About Us/Background page that will tell you more about them

3. Look for info on their education and experience

4. Evaluate what you know about them and decide if you believe they are qualified to write about the topic.

Check Sources

Look at how sources are cited and what type of source is used.

1. Current topics: publishing dates are important

2. Outdated topics: date should be near the time the content became known.

Links from other reliable sites shows credibility

1. Scholarly content should always have source info, and should not be an opinion piece.

2. Check the sources for reliability and workability.

3. If the content is reproduced from another source, go to the original source to ensure it has not been altered.

Overall Evaluation

Once you have reviewed all of this info, you can decide whether you believe
the source to be credible.

1. If they are the only one linking to the site (from other parts of their site) then it may not be reliable.

2. Find out who is linking to them:
Type the URL into the search box on Alexa.com. Click on "Get Details". Learn about site's traffic info, who is linking to them and other details.

3. Find Related Sites
Type the link into Google search box. Paste the URL directly after the colon, no spaces. Difference search engines may have different results so try more than one. If you don't see any links, shorten the URL.

Sources

A Visual Guide to Evaluating Sources on the Web

1. Since the internet is open to everyone, remember that you may be looking at false info or opinions instead of fact.

2. If you're unsure, go to a reference desk in the library or ask an expert for advice.

Here is a more detailed graphic (with animated elements) to help you evaluate information sources on the web. The step-by-step guide is probably better to use on a day-to-day basis, but this graphic contains a lot more detail.

How to Use This Graphic

We are very proud of our data visualizations. Each one is the result of the work of many talented people over a long time researching, writing, editing, rendering. And we get flooded with requests to use them. We are happy to oblige. But under strict guidelines.
If you would like to use this graphic in your work, see right below it for more information.
Non-Profit Use

If you are an educational, governmental, or non-profit group, feel free to use it in your work. But please add a note to it saying that it is copyrighted and courtesy of WhoIsHostingThis.

The following link will download the graphic: Evaluating Web Resources: A 60 Second Guide.

Other Uses

If you wish to embed this graphic on your website, use the code below. Just click in the box. This will highlight the text. Then copy it to your computer's clipboard, and paste it onto your web page.

To learn more about determining the credibility of an online resource, please visit:
Main text written by Jaramy Conners with additional material by various members of the WhoIsHostingThis.com Team. Compiled and edited by Frank Moraes.

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What is a Credible Source? How to Evaluate Web Resources - WhoIsHostingThis.com

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With the enormous amount of information on the internet, and all the people and groups with different agendas, how can you find good information? How can you tell if that information is coming from a credible source? This article explains all and includes a checklist, tips and an animated step-by-step guide.

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The sources and evidence you select to use in an academic paper should be of a higher caliber than what you use in your daily life and need to be verifiable, accurate, objective and authoritative. Before integrating research into your paper, follow these guidelines to select the best sources and evidence from those sources to support the ideas in your paper.

Selecting a Source

When choosing sources, note that scholarly articles and books are considered appropriate for academic use, while other types of sources require further evaluation. When evaluating research to use in an academic paper or professional documents, consider the following criteria and apply the C.R.A.A.P. test.

C urrency: The timeliness of the information

As a general rule, choose sources published within the last five years when possible. While there are some exceptions to this rule, it is good practice to choose current sources to obtain the most up-to-date information about your topic.

Questions to ask:

Is this source current?

Does my topic require current information or will older resources work?

R elevance: The importance of the information to your needs

Sometimes a source may relate to your general topic, but not to the specific aspect that you are exploring. Choose sources that support the specific ideas you are addressing.

Questions to ask:

Is the source relevant to the specific aspect of my topic?

Is this source right for an adult and educated audience?

A uthority: The Source of the Information

Read an author's bio or a publication's "About Us" page to find out more information about an author or publication. A quick Internet search can also help you find out more information about the reliability of an author, organization, or publication. The URL can also provide insight into the source of information.

Questions to ask:

What are the author's credentials?

Is this organization or publication qualified to write on this topic?

What makes this author or organization reliable and credible?

A ccuracy: The reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content

Use sources that contain verifiable facts to support the information provided. Look to see if the source includes citations that show where the author obtained the information used in the publication.

Questions to ask:

Is this information reliable and supported by evidence?

Is the information biased? Is the information factual or emotion-based?

Has the information been reviewed by other experts?

P urpose: The reason the information exists

Use sources that provide fact-based information rather than opinion-based information. Avoid biased materials that are tied to a commercial product or political campaign, for example. Avoid emotional arguments that are not supported by facts. It can be helpful to examine the advertisements (if any) or endorsements associated with the source to see if the publisher has something financial to gain by presenting the information.

Questions to ask:

What is the purpose of this information?

Is the author or organization biased and attempting to persuade the audience of his or her point of view?

Does the information attempt to sell you a product or ideology?

Does the author have something to gain by providing this information?

To view an interactive tutorial on choosing the best sources, view this library tutorial on Evaluating Sources.

Selecting Evidence from a Source

Now that you have credible and relevant sources, be sure to select the best evidence from these sources by evaluating and critiquing the evidence itself.

Here are the different types of evidence found in sources and questions to consider for each:

Statistics refers to data collected such as numbers and percentages. Numbers may seem like hard facts, but they still must be considered and interpreted to know if they are useful and accurate.

Questions to ask:

Are the statistics recent? Statistics change over time.

Is the source of the statistics credible and unbiased? Don't believe everything you read. Be skeptical first.

How do the statistics relate to your claim? Do they support the argument you are making?

An expert opinion refers to someone who is an expert on the topic and his or her conclusions or decisions about the topic. An example of an expert would be a heart doctor who is discussing heart health.

Questions to ask:

Is the person/organization an expert on this topic? Find out more about the person's credentials.

Is the person/organization unbiased or do they have something to gain from their opinion? Be skeptical about why this person or organization is trying to persuade you.

Research studies refer to research that was done by a person or group to test a theory or to reach some conclusions about a research question.

Questions to ask:

How recent was this research study done? The data may change over time.

Who did this research study and are they credible and unbiased? Again, be skeptical first.

How does this research study relate to the claim you are making? Be sure it supports your specific claim and isn't just related to your overall topic.

Historical evidence refers to a situation in the past that works to support a claim about a current situation. Or this evidence could also be a physical artifact that works to support a claim.

Questions to ask:

Is the historical situation similar enough to the current situation? It should be relevant and similar enough so that it supports your claim.

Is this historical event or artifact a single isolated occurrence? If so, is this information enough to support your claim? A single occurrence is likely not enough to establish efficient support.

Anecdotes refer to personal stories about yourself or another person.

Questions to ask:

Is the anecdote a highly unlikely occurrence, or is it something that regularly occurs to others, too? A very isolated occurrence cannot act to support a claim. It needs to be common enough to show that it could continue to happen.

Is the anecdote similar enough to the situation you are writing about? Be sure there are no other factors at work that could have led to the anecdote.

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The sources and evidence you select to use in an academic paper should be of a higher caliber than what you use in your daily life and need to be verifiable, accurate, objective and authoritative. Before integrating research into your paper, follow these guidelines to select the best sources and evidence from those sources to support the ideas in your paper.

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Why is choosing credible information sources important to your research?

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Source Credibility: How To Select The Best Sources

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Source Credibility: How To Select The Best Sources

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Step-by-Step Guide & Research Rescue: Evaluating Credibility

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Step-by-Step Guide & Research Rescue: Evaluating Credibility

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Click on "Evaluating Credibility" tab

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Subject Guides: Step-by-Step Guide & Research Rescue: Basic Research Strategy

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This guide will help you understand how to efficiently and effectively do basic research.

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4 ways to differentiate a good source from a bad source

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4 ways to differentiate a good source from a bad source

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4 ways to differentiate a good source from a bad source

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Doing online research means having the world at your fingertips, but some sources are stronger than others. Here are 4 ways to ensure your source is good.

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Just as important as knowing what resources to use is being aware of what resources to avoid, or to at least think twice about before using. Inclusion on the list below does not automatically mean that the source in question is not reliable, but it does mean that you should be careful.

1. Wikipedia

Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia that is editable by anybody. It has rapidly become a go-to resource for just about any topic. While it may seem like a great resource to use for writing a paper, most scholars and teachers believe that Wikipedia is not an appropriate source for scholarly work (although some accept it as a useful starting point when beginning a research project).

The reasons for this are two-fold:

Wikipedia can be edited by anyone: While Wikipedia's moderators do strive to make sure its information is accurate, the fact that it can be edited by anyone means that mistakes can and do slip in.

Encyclopedias in general should not be used as a source: In both high school and college, instructors generally do not want students using any encyclopedia as a source, whether it is Wikipedia or otherwise. Instead, instructors want students to dig into more sophisticated and focused sources, such as peer review journals, instead of relying on the broad, general, and limited information that encyclopedias tend to provide.

2. Resources without named authors

On the internet, anyone can publish, and anyone can publish without using their real name or identity. It is advisable to be wary of such sources. After all, if you cannot identify the author or authors of a source, you can't know whether they are really experts on the relevant subject.

3. Resources that don't cite their own sources

Citing sources is not just to give credit where credit is due. It also improves the credibility of your paper by showing that it is based on strong evidence. The reverse, of course, is also true. If a source doesn't provide its own sources, then it is difficult to determine how credible that source really is.

4. Resources that are old

While not all old resources are unusable, age should be a consideration. This is particularly true when writing papers or reports on the sciences. A medical text written in 1965, for example, is not going to provide up-to-date information. Obviously, though, there are numerous exceptions. If, for example, you are writing a paper on history, primary texts from the given time period would be not only appropriate but beneficial.

5. Resources that don't make sense

Sometimes called the "smell test", the basic idea here is that even if a source is on a good website and from someone who seems like an expert, if it still doesn't seem to make sense, it's good to be wary. Even the smartest people can have strange ideas, so with any source, it is important to use your critical thinking skills. If something seems like it doesn't make sense, be careful.

This list is not exhaustive, and it is worth repeating that simply because something does not meet these criteria does not automatically mean that it is not reliable. However, if you keep this list in mind, you can avoid some of the pitfalls of bad sources.

It is hard to underestimate the importance of credible sources to an article, report, essay, or paper. Credible sources are the foundation. They are the things upon which everything else as built.

As such, every writer needs to take time to ensure that the sources they use are credible, timely, and appropriate. By taking that time, a writer enables himself or herself to make his or her final product as effective as possible.

Source: Creative Commons Image: "Fixing Bolts on a Wind Turbine Foundation" by Walter Baxter

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Explain what can be considered credible, consistent sources by showing learners what to look for in sources (e.g. sufficient depth, relevance, authority etc.). Give examples of sources that might not be considered credible (e.g. Wikipedia). This packet should help a learner seeking to understand how to conduct research for a paper and who is confused about how to choose credible sources.

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The Ultimate Student Guide To Finding Credible Sources

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The Ultimate Student Guide To Finding Credible Sources

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When it comes to writing a research paper, it's crucial that you use credible sources to make sure that the information you are stating is actually true. Knowing the difference between credible sources and unreliable sources doesn't always come so easily with endless information flooding the internet. Thankfully, there are some simple tips that you can use to ensure that you are always using credible sources for research.

What is a Research Paper?

A research paper is a piece of academic writing that uses original research on a specific topic. There are many different types of research papers, ranging from a high school term paper to a master's thesis or doctoral dissertation.

How To Start A Search For Sources

1. Start simple

If you're wondering how to find sources for a research paper, the easiest and best way to start is simple! Just try browsing through some common search engines to see what you find.

2. Cross Wikipedia off

Wikipedia, although it's a massive pool of information, should always be avoided when writing a research paper since it allows the public to edit information. Sites such as these often run the risk of lacking accuracy, and is not one of the most credible sources for research.

3. Yes to scholarly databases

Scholarly databases are your best friend when it comes to finding credible sources for research. Online scholarly databases that can be trusted and are known to provide useful information for students include LexisNexis and EBSCO.

4. Newspapers and magazines

Although sometimes biased, newspapers and magazines can also be a great place to find information about current events.

5. The library

While the library seems to be the most obvious place to find information, somehow it's often forgotten when it comes to research in the modern age. Don't forget how useful it can truly be!

Types of Credible Sources for Research

1. What are some credible websites?

Many online sources do not necessarily contain information that is correct or has been checked. That's why it's of utmost importance to make sure that you're using the right websites for your research, with government and educational websites generally being the most reliable.

Credible sources for research include: science.gov, The World Factbook, US Census Bureau, UK Statistics, and Encyclopedia Britannica.

2. What are some credible journal articles?

When it comes to journal articles, determining how credible they are comes much easier than other sources. This is generally due to the fact that many of these websites will include valuable information such as how many times the article has been cited, and if its been peer reviewed.

Some great examples of reliable websites for journal articles include Google Scholar, Oxford Academic, Microsoft Academic, Cornell University Library, and SAGE Publishing.

If you are ever not sure how to find credible sources, then there's the CRAAP test, which takes into account the Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy and Purpose of the article. Take all of these factors into consideration before using a source and determining whether or not it's credible enough. Even if it takes more time, you'll be saving yourself tons of time in the long run by not using unreliable sources.

3. What are some credible news sources?

When it comes to news articles, more caution must be taken since it's hard to know which sources are truly reliable and unbiased. The CRAAP test is also useful in this type of article for research.

A few examples of credible news sources include The New York Times, Bloomberg, and The Washington Post.

The Credibility of a Source

As you search for your research information, you will surely come across the question of how to find credible sources for a research paper. Here are some criteria to focus on to ensure that you only use the most credible of sources.

1. What's the depth of it?

Always look at the depth of an article, not just the written content. See how long the article is, and if it contains the necessary information such as an abstract, a reference list, and documented data.

2. Who is reading it?

When judging the credibility of an article, it's important to always ask yourself who the target audience of the article is. Sometimes, sources have a specific goal in mind and it can create certain biases.

3. What's the goal?

Just as you should do with the audience, also ask yourself what the article is trying to achieve. What is their ultimate goal and how are they persuading you of that?

4. Who wrote it?

Always ask yourself who wrote the article and how reputable they are in the specific field. Look at what other published works they have as well.

5. Can it be trusted?

Overall, it's key to ask yourself how reputable the source is. What kind of website is it published on? Look at the big picture.

6. Is it relevant to now?

Look at the date of the article, or about the specific things they are mentioning in the article. If it's from a few years ago, it's probably not too relevant to your current research.

7. Can it be proven?

While an article may sound incredibly convincing, many people have a way with words and persuasion. Stop and ask yourself whether or not what they are claiming can actually be proven.

How to Evaluate Source Credibility

By using unreliable sources in your research, it can discredit your status, which is why it's incredibly important to make sure that any information you are using is up-to-date and accurate.

Here's how to find credible sources.

1. What is a credible source?

Generally, materials that have been published within the past 10 years are considered to be credible sources for research. Another important factor to consider is the author - if they are well known and respected in their specific fields, that's also generally a sign that the article is credible. Educational and government-run websites (.gov, .edu) tend to also be a safe source to use, as well as academic databases. Google Scholar is also a no-fail source for reliable information.

2. What is a potentially unreliable source?

Anything that is out of date, meaning it's been published more than 10 years ago should be avoided. Materials published on social media platforms such as Facebook or personal blogs don't tend to be the most credible. Always make sure that an article contains proper citations and that the website you are using ends in .com or .org.

Free Resources For Learning

There are many free resources for research available known as open educational resources. They are licensed for free use, with the intention of teaching. They can be determined as credible sources for research if they have a Creative Common license, and if the author has proven to be an expert in their field. Always make sure that the content you are using contains no biases.

Sites For Scholarly Research

When performing scholarly research, it's extra important to make sure that your sources are credible. Government-run research is considered credible, but beware of any political sites.
University and educational websites also tend to be reliable, but still take everything you read with a grain of salt. Company websites also tend to be reliable, although their ultimate goal is usually to promote a product. Organizations which are .org websites can be professional and reliable, however, sometimes they also have their own interests.

Which Sites Can Be Relied On

The internet has no shortage of information out there. That's why you'll need these handy tips to determine which to use, and how to distinguish through the vast choices without feeling overwhelmed.

List of Credible Research Sources to Consider

1. Government Entities

These websites tend to be reliable since they are highly regulated. Examples include the CIA World Factbook and the United States Justice Statistics.

2. Research Think Tanks

Examples of reliable research think tanks include Rand Corporation, Pew Research Center and The Milken Institute.

3. Academic Libraries and Databases

ProQuest, Scopus, and Jstor are great examples of academic libraries and databases that can be trusted.

4. Professional Standards Organizations

The American Bar Association and The American Psychological Association (APA) are highly credible sources when it comes to professional standards.

How to Write a Research Paper: Step-by-Step

Now that you're an expert on finding credible sources for research, you're ready to go! But how do you even start to write a research paper? Don't worry, we've got you covered.

For starters, it's important to get clear instructions from your professor on what they want. The next step is to start brainstorming ideas for a topic of research. Once you've decided and feel confident about it, you're ready to create your outline and plan out the goal of your research paper.

Befriend your librarian and start to search for quality and credible sources through a variety of means. Make sure you understand your topic from top to bottom before you start writing. As you write, be sure to always keep things factual, and that you finalize your thesis statement throughout your paper - not just at the end. That's what's going to guide your writing. Be sure to always keep format in mind, never forget to cite your sources, and to never skip those edits and final checks.

Now you are ready to write a high-quality, fact-driven research paper that's sure to impress your professors.

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Tips to Find Credible Sources for Research: A Guide for Students

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When it comes to writing a research paper, it's crucial that you use credible sources to make sure that the information you are stating is actually true. Knowing the difference between credible sources and unreliable sources doesn't always come so easily with endless information flooding the internet.

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Having made an initial appraisal, you should now examine the body of the source. Read the preface to determine the author's intentions for the book. Scan the table of contents and the index to get a broad overview of the material it covers. Note whether bibliographies are included. Read the chapters that specifically address your topic. Reading the article abstract and scanning the table of contents of a journal or magazine issue is also useful. As with books, the presence and quality of a bibliography at the end of the article may reflect the care with which the authors have prepared their work.

A. Intended Audience

What type of audience is the author addressing? Is the publication aimed at a specialized or a general audience? Is this source too elementary, too technical, too advanced, or just right for your needs?

B. Objective Reasoning

1. Is the information covered fact, opinion, or propaganda? It is not always easy to separate fact from opinion. Facts can usually be verified; opinions, though they may be based on factual information, evolve from the interpretation of facts. Skilled writers can make you think their interpretations are facts.

2. Does the information appear to be valid and well-researched, or is it questionable and unsupported by evidence? Assumptions should be reasonable. Note errors or omissions.

3. Are the ideas and arguments advanced more or less in line with other works you have read on the same topic? The more radically an author departs from the views of others in the same field, the more carefully and critically you should scrutinize his or her ideas.

4. Is the author's point of view objective and impartial? Is the language free of emotion-arousing words and bias?

C. Coverage

1. Does the work update other sources, substantiate other materials you have read, or add new information? Does it extensively or marginally cover your topic? You should explore enough sources to obtain a variety of viewpoints.

2. Is the material primary or secondary in nature? Primary sources are the raw material of the research process. Secondary sources are based on primary sources. For example, if you were researching Konrad Adenauer's role in rebuilding West Germany after World War II, Adenauer's own writings would be one of many primary sources available on this topic. Others might include relevant government documents and contemporary German newspaper articles. Scholars use this primary material to help generate historical interpretations--a secondary source. Books, encyclopedia articles, and scholarly journal articles about Adenauer's role are considered secondary sources. In the sciences, journal articles and conference proceedings written by experimenters reporting the results of their research are primary documents. Choose both primary and secondary sources when you have the opportunity.

D. Writing Style

Is the publication organized logically? Are the main points clearly presented? Do you find the text easy to read, or is it stilted or choppy? Is the author's argument repetitive?

E. Evaluative Reviews

1. Locate critical reviews of books in a reviewing source, such as the Articles & Full Text , Book Review Index, Book Review Digest, and ProQuest Research Library. Is the review positive? Is the book under review considered a valuable contribution to the field? Does the reviewer mention other books that might be better? If so, locate these sources for more information on your topic.

2. Do the various reviewers agree on the value or attributes of the book or has it aroused controversy among the critics?

3. For Web sites, consider consulting this evaluation source from UC Berkeley.

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LibGuides: Critically Analyzing Information Sources: Critical Appraisal and Analysis

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Ten things to look for when you evaluate an information source. Initial Appraisal & Critical Analysis