Anytime you are considering using a particular resource in a research paper or other project it's important to evaluate the quality of this resource.
Below are five specific criteria to use when deciding if a resource should be included in your assignment. This evaluation checklist is based on Meriam Library at Cal State University Chico's "Evaluating Information: Applying the CRAAP Test" (2010).
Currency
- Can you find a publication date? If so, how recent is it?
- Is there evidence that the resource has been updated or revised?
- Do the web links still work?
Relevance
- Does the information relate to the project you're working on?
- Who is the target audience of the resource? i.e. the general public, academics, or children?
- Have you made sure to look for other resources which could be useful or is this the first one you've considered?
- Do you think this would make a good reference for your paper? Would your professor?
Authority
- Can you find an author/publisher?
- Are any credentials or background information given about the author?
- Is any contact information of the author/publisher available?
- Check the URL. What does it say about the publisher? i.e. .com=commercial, .gov=U.S. government, .edu=educational
Accuracy
- Where is the author obtaining the information presented in the resource? Are they making it up or basing it on other published works?
- Is there any evidence that the resource was peer-reviewed or edited by someone else before publication?
- Does the author document the sources used in their research? Do you see in-text citations or a bibliography?
- Do you see any grammatical or spelling errors?
Purpose
- What is the purpose of the article? i.e. to sell, to educate, to inform, to teach?
- Is the information fact, opinion, or propaganda?
- Is the author's tone objective or do you notice a presence of bias or persuasion?
Additional resources assembled by LIU librarians on the important topic of resource evaluation can be found here.
A Writer's Reference by 
