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Online Articles ~ Gender, Sex and Identity

Evaluating Sources

Here is a list of Common Questions you should ask when analyzing any source for research purposes.


Currency: Information is timely

Can you locate a publication date or posted date? Are there revisions or updates to the information? Is the information current enough for your topic?

Relevance: Information connects to your research needs

How does the information compare to other sources you found? Do I need scholarly communication, facts and figures, or an emotional story? Does the information answer your research question?

Authority: Information comes from a trusted source or expert

Can you determine the author or publisher of the source? Is the author affiliated with a particular institution or organization? Is the author an expert on this topic?

Accuracy: Information is correct, reliable, and factual

Can you identify the original source(s) of information? Is the information supported by evidence? Has the information been peer-reviewed or fact checked?

Purpose: Information has a clear reason or intent

Is there an identifiable bias (political, personal, ideological)? What is the source's agenda (inform, persuade, sell, mislead, provoke)? Is the information factual, opinion, propaganda, or satirical?


*Based on the CRAAP test created by Molly Beestrum, Librarian, while at Dominican University.

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