Clinical Laboratory Science

You can use the following criteria to evaluate all types of resources, but it is especially helpful in evaluating websites. Anyone can publish information to the internet, but that doesn't mean that all information is good information. It is important when looking at websites to carefully evaluate the credibility of the information. 

One method for evaluating websites is to consider aspects of the CRAAP method: Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose.

Consider the timeliness of the information and the website

• Is there a publication or last revised date?
• Is there a date of copyright, publication, or broadcast?
• Is the information current enough for your topic?
• Are the links functional? Is the website being updated?

Consider how the information relates to your topic

• Is the content relevant and useful for your topic?
• Who is the intended audience?
• Is the information at an appropriate level (aimed at children, high school students, adults)?
• Is the website appropriate for college research--will your professor accept this source? 

Consider the qualification of the author of the information

• Can the author or organization presenting the information be easily identified?
• Is there information about the author or institutional affiliation?
• Are author credentials —educational or professional qualifications— relevant to the topic?
• Does the URL reveal anything about the source—i.e. .com, .edu, .gov, .org, .net?
• Is there contact information for the author or website creator is included?
• Is there an email or submission form offered for questions or comments? 

Consider the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the information

• Does the site include references or display knowledge of related sources?
• Does the site include a bibliography or appropriate credits?
• Does the author address various sides of an argument with no evidence of bias?
• Is the communication style appropriate for intended audiences?
• Does the audio and/or text follow basic rules of grammar, spelling, and composition?
• Can you verify any of the information in another source?
• If the information is reproduced from another source, is it properly cited?
• Are the links to other cites relevant, reputable, and scholarly? 

Consider why the website was made

• What is the intent for information (to inform, teach, sell, persuade, entertain or enlighten)?
• Do the authors clearly state or imply their purpose?
• Is the information fact, informational, opinion, or propaganda?
• Is there evidence that the author has a bias (ie, corporate, cultural, religious, issuebased, or personal perspective)?