Finding Peer-Reviewed Articles: Evaluating Sources

Access to information is easier than ever. The internet provides instant results to millions of resources, and more are added everyday, but it is up to the user to evaluate the quality and relevancy of their results.  Evaluating sources means that you examine source materials, including books, journal articles, websites, newspapers, films, etc., with a critical eye. Becoming an informed reader is critical for both your class work as well as your everyday life.

But why is it important to evaluate your sources? Almost anyone can write and publish anything they want, but not everything that is published is either accurate or true. Therefore it becomes necessary to evaluate a source to determine if it meets the standards expected by peers in the field or, more importantly, your instructors and/or professors. 

Source: International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions

The next time you are researching sources for a paper try applying the C.R.A.A.P. test, developed by librarians at California State University, Chico. This easy to remember test, which stands for Currency, Relevancy, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose, will help you evaluate your sources.

• Currency: How up to date is 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?
  • If your information come from a website, are the links functional?
• Relevancy: Is the information relevant or important to your needs?
  • Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
  • Who is the intended audience? (Middle School? High School? College? Professional? General?)
  • Is the information at an appropriate level? (Too elementary or too advanced?)
  • 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?
• Authority: Where does the information come from? What is the source?
  • 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, for example a publisher or an email address?
  • If your source is a website, what does the URL reveal about the author or source? 
    • example: .com, .edu, .gov, .org, .net
• Accuracy: Is the information reliable, truthful, and correct?
  • Where does the information come from?
  • Is the information supported by evidence?
  • Has the information been peer-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?
• Purpose: Why does the information exist?
  • What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain, or persuade?
  • Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
  • 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?

Source: Meriam Library, California State University, Chico