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Social Studies Education: Evaluate sources

A one-stop-shop for finding books, articles, web resources and more on social studies education.

Contact a librarian for source evaluation advice

Meme with Han Solo, stating "It's Dangerous to Google Solo, Take a Librarian with You"

  • Myth: Librarians advise to avoid web search engines like Google with a ten-foot pole and only use library databases.
  • Fact: We believe many websites are valuable information sources, but to tread with extra caution as anyone can publish anything out there.

Unsure if a website or another type of source is suitable for your assignment?

Contact Ask a Librarian or your Liaison Librarian for advice:

Tips for evaluating scholarly articles for use

Learn strategic reading

How do you find the time to determine if a scholarly article is helpful for your topic when they are 20 pages long? By strategic reading!

A scholarly research article typically has the components of an Abstract, Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology, Results, Discussion/Conclusion, and Reference List. Some articles may have additional components. You don't need to read the entire article to determine whether it could be helpful to you. You can strategically read certain parts.

 

Determine if a scholarly article is potentially useful:
  1. Read the abstract for a general summary of the journal article. Does the abstract and introduction seem relevant to your research question?
    If YES, move on to step 2.
    If NO, discard.
  2. Jump to the discussion and conclusion sections at the end of the article to get a summary of the article's findings. Is the content relevant?
    If YES, move on to step 3.
    If NO, discard. 
  3. Hop back up to the introduction: Skim through the intro to see how the author plans to approach the subject. At this point, you should have a good idea of what the article is about and if it is useful to your topic or not.

 

If you have determined the article to be potentially useful:
  • Critically read the article in chronological order, spending as much time as necessary to do so:
    • What is the author's position? Does their argument seem valid?
    • Does the author seem neutral or too biased? 
  • Take notes on the source, keeping your research question in mind so your notes are relevant.

Adapted from Meriam Library, California State University, Chico (2018) and Western University (2012)

Evaluate sources with the CRAAP Test

Picture via ThePinsta.com
The CRAAP Test

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 at the end of this box.

C stands for
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 stands for

 
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 stands for

 
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 stands for
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 stands for
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