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Historical Research Methods (HIST 3001): Evaluate Sources

Course guide for HIST 3001: Historical Research Methods

Disciplinary Standards

Use the following tools to help you decide what may be an appropriate source for your paper. HOWEVER, always take into consideration your disciplinary standards. You may need to add extra questions or interpret certain questions in light of accepted historical research practice.

For example, a monograph may be published by an academic press and be written by a historian, but their claims may still be spurious or misinterpreted. It is up to you, as the historian, to interrogate the methods and claims of historical writing.

Evaluating sources: The CRAAP Test, the 5Ws & 1 H + others

Why evaluate sources?

Caucasian woman typing on Apple MacBook

The problem with searching for information - especially on the Internet - is that we don't always know where it comes from and whether or not it is worth trusting. 

Be selective and evaluate the information you find by considering the:

  • Origin of the information source
  • Applicability of the source to your needs
  • The nature of the source - give the content a critical look over. 

A source evaluation tool or rubric can guide you in evaluating the source for credibility and relevance.

The CRAAP Test, outlined in the second tab, is an efficient way to help you discern whether that information is appropriate for your assignment for ANY source, not just those found through Google, Bing, etc.

Some other guidelines are listed in subsequent tabs.

Image of CRAAP Test Steps
Picture via ThePinsta.com

 

The CRAAP Test

CRAAP Test (450 KB) 

Librarians in the US and from around the world recommend the CRAAP Test as it's applicable to all source types and it's easy to remember!

Zoom into the "Take the CRAAP Test" infographic on the right and save a copy for yourself.

Alternatively, download a PDF of the test below.

C
Currency

The timeliness of the information

  • When was the information published or posted?
  • Has the information been revised or updated?
  • Does your topic require current information, or will older sources work as well? Are the links functional?
R

 
Relevance

The importance of the information for your needs

  • 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 elementary or advanced for your needs)?
  • Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?
  • Would you be comfortable citing this source in your research paper?
A

 
Authority

The source of the information

  • Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
  • What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?
  • Is the author qualified to write on the topic?
  • Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?
  • Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source? examples: .com .edu .gov .org .net
A
Accuracy

The reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content

  • 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 unbiased and free of emotion?
  • Are there spelling, grammar or typographical errors?
P
Purpose

The reason the information exists

  • What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain or persuade?
  • 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?

"CRAAP Test" infographic and wording reproduced from UC San Diego Library, who adapted it from CSU Chicco

"All that glitters is not gold"---and this is true with any of the sources you may find.

The 5 Ws + 1 H is a tool to help you decide whether or not you should use a source, whether it is a book, a journal article, a webpage, and so on:

Who

  • Who wrote the piece? What are their qualifications and/or affiliations?

What

  • What is the content of the piece about?
  • What about the piece is relevant to your research?

When

  • When was this piece written?
  • What time period is the research from?

Where

  • Where was this piece published—in an academic journal, on a blog, a government website, a special interest newsletter?

Why

  • Why did the author write this (what is the author’s purpose/bias)?

How

  • How was the research done? What does that tell you about the piece?
  • How is other research cited?
  • How long is the piece?

SIFT: Stop - Investigate the source - Find better coverage - Trace claims, quotes & media

SIFT test:

Stop - Investigate the source - Find better coverage - Trace claims, quotes & media

The IF I APPLY is a tool used to test the credibility of any resource. The link to it is below.

Evaluation guidelines for certain types of genres