LibGuides: Evaluating sources of information: Downloadable Resources

Evaluating Your Sources
A PDF with notes of the slides used in the online workshop. Updated September 2022.

There are a range of tools available to help you evaluate sources of information. Have a look at some of the links below for more information.

Most of these tools ask you to consider the following:

Was it written/produced/authored by credible people and organisations?
For what purpose was it written? Is it to inform, educate, entertain, promote, sell?
Is it published in a place you would expect a good source of information to be presented?
Is it current or up-to-date for the subject and your needs?
Is it well presented and coherent, free from errors?
Has it been written subjectively from the authors own opinion, or is an objective view presented, backed up by evidence?

Ask Who, What, Why, Where, When, and How, of all sources of digital information you use.

Take a look at the page on Lateral Reading, as there are additional links to support documents on there.

Critical Analysis Cycle
A range of questions to guide your critical thinking.
Critical analytical thinking checklist
Document available from Skills for Study. A checklist to assess individual resources such as journal articles or websites.

CRAAP test
CRAAP test (2)
Handy downloadable PDF

The CRAAP test is widely used as an academic tool to aid evaluation of sources of information. It was devised by Sarah Blakeslee and widely used at Meriam Library, California State University, Chico. You can find out more about this tool from the links above.

ABC Model
An evaluation tool from Upstate University, South Carolina.
PROMPT model
Model developed by the Open University.
5W's
The 5W's help you think about Who, What, When, Where and Why.
RADAR Framework
The RADAR framework can help evaluate sources of information.