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Psychology

Websites

It is possible to find quality academic sources through Internet search engines. You will have to carefully evaluate websites and articles found beyond the library databases.

Google Scholar: http://scholar.google.ca

  • Use (instead of Google) to browse scholarly articles and books on your topic. If you cannot access the full-text of an article (payment required), contact the Library Information Desk for assistance.

Before using a website, determine:

  • Author: Is the author qualified to write about this topic? (educational credentials)
  • Currency: Is the website maintained? (broken links, revised dates)
  • Accuracy: Are there typos or grammatical mistakes?
  • Content: Is the content relevant and substantial? Is there a Works Cited or References page to back up the information?

 

CRAAP Test

The CRAAP Test is a series of questions to ask about any source of information.  The questions will help you decide whether your source is credible and appropriate for use in your research.

C

Currency: The timeliness of the information

  • Do you know when the information was published, posted, or last updated?
  • Is the information current for your topic and field of study?

R

Relevance: The importance of the information for your needs

  • Is the information appropriate for a college-level course?
  • Is this an adequately in-depth discussion of the topic?
  • Has Canadian perspective or content been provided?

A

Authority: The source of the information

  • Have the author's credentials or organizational affiliations been identified?
  • Is the author (or authors) qualified to write on the topic?
  • Has the piece been published by a well-known and respected publisher or organization?

A

Accuracy: The reliability and correctness of the informational content

  • Have the author's sources been clearly cited so that you can easily find (and verify) them?
  • Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors?

P

Purpose: The reason the information exists

  • Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
  • Does the point of view appear objective, unbiased and impartial?
  • Does the author acknowledge alternative versions of the issues or facts?

 

Adapted from: The University of the Fraser Valley (2009). Evaluating information: The CRAAP test. Retrieved from http://libanswers.ufv.ca/faq/197847