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ENG 102 Research: Finding and Evaluating Sources

Tools for Evaluating Sources

Is this source CRAP? Ask: Is it... Current? Relevant? Accurate/ An Authority? Purpose appropriate?

CRAP is an acronym for some of the most important criteria we consider when we evaluate resources. For each criteria look at what defines a good (green check), possibly good or could be better (yellow slow down hand), or not good (red X) source.

Evaluating Sources

Ask yourself two main questions when evaluating a source:

  1. Is it credible or true?
  2. Is it appropriate for the purpose I'm using it for?