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Research Skills: Step-By-Step: Evaluate

This guide will help you to develop your research skills and better understand the research process.

Evaluating Information

  • When doing research, it is important to find information that is reliable, accurate, and appropriate for your assessment.
  • In all cases, you should evaluate and fact check the information before you use it.

What is the SIFT Method?

With the current prevalence of misinformation and fake news, SIFT is a very useful method for checking online information for bias and context. It encourages quick checks before continuing to read the information. It is best used for popular non-academic websites, blogs, social media posts etc.

 

S - Stop 

Literally stop and ask if you know and trust this website. If not, then investigate further.

I - Investigate

Investigate the source of the information with some quick specific techniques.

F - Find

Find other trusted information sources. Use fact checking websites.

T - Trace

Trace claims, quotes and media back to the original source.

Find out how to use the SIFT method by watching the video below.

Source: Vanderbilt Libraries Teaching and Learning. (2023, February 28). Using SIFT to evaluate sources for credibility tutorial [Video]. YouTube.

Weblinks

What is the CRAAP Test?

The CRAAP test is useful for further evaluating credible information sources. It is often used to evaluate sources such as books, journal articles or documents from government websites etc.

 

C - Currency

How current is the information? Do you require current or historical information? Do links work?

R - Relevance

How relevant is the information for your assessment? Is it an appropriate level?

A - Authority

Who is the author/source? Are they qualified to write on the subject? Does the URL reveal anything about the source?

A - Accuracy

How accurate is the information? Is it supported by evidence? Can you verify the information? Are there spelling, grammatical or typographical errors? 

P - Purpose

What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, influence or entertain? Is it objective?  Are there any obvious biases?

Find out how to use the CRAAP Test by watching the video below.

Source: University of South Australia. (2017, October 23). Study help: Evaluating information [Video]. YouTube.

Weblinks

PLEASE NOTE: By clicking on a link you may be directed to a third party site. You should respect the intellectual property on that site. If you leave the College website, please be aware that the College does not endorse a linked site or guarantee the accuracy or currency of any information contained on a linked site.