from Meriam Library, CSU at Chico
When you search for information, you're going to find lots of it . . . but is it good information? You will have to determine that for yourself, and the CRAAP Test can help. The CRAAP Test is a list of questions to help you evaluate the information you find. Different criteria will be more or less important depending on your situation or need.
Authority: The source of the information.
The PDF files below provide different ways of evaluating websites. They are easy to use and can be handy for both teaching and learning. The CRAAP Test stands for current, reliable, authoriative, accurate, and purpose of information, and was developed by (and is used here with permission of) the Meriam Library at CSU Chico.
Below is an screenshot of a webpage with illustration of where you would look for information you need to cite the article on this webpage.
APA Format Example (click here for complete APA style guide)
Author, A. A. (Date Published). Title of article. Title of Website. Retrieved from http://xxxx
Phillips, T. (2008). Genetically modified organisms (GMOs): transgenic crops and recombinant DNA technology. Scitable. Retrieved from http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/genetically-modified-organisms-gmos-transgenic-crops-and-732
MLA Format Example (click here for complete MLA style guide)
Author. “Title of Page.” Title of Website, Publisher or sponsor, Date posted, URL.
Phillips, Theresa. “Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Transgenic Crops and Recombinant DNA Technology.” Scitable, Nature Education, 2008, www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/genetically-modified-organisms-gmos-transgenic-crops-and-732.
With the rash of disinformation and misinformation, a.k.a. "fake news" online, these are some sources that can help you get closer to the truth.
Additional fact checker sites for specialized topics:
For an in-depth discussion of methods of online fact-checking, see the free e-Book: "Web Literacy for Student Fact Checkers"
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