There are several similar ways to remember the criteria for evaluating websites. Click on the Title of each for more explanation and a PDF handout.
CRAAP (Cal State Universiy-Chico)
- Currency
- Relevance
- Authority
- Accuracy
- Purpose
5 Questions (Univ. of California, Berkeley
Click here for a checklist.
- What can the URL tell you? (domain, publisher)
- Answer these questions- scan perimeter of page (about us, philosophy, background, biography, currency, credentials, etc.)
- Look for indicators of quality information (links, documentation/footnotes, credibility)
- What do others say? (linking pages, listed in a reputable directory, what others say about the author)
- Does it all add up? (why was page put on web, purpose, is this as reliable as resource as you would find in a library?)
6 Questions (UW-Madison Libraries)
- Who - created the page/site? Look for an "About us"? What are author's/organization's qualifications?
- What - is page/site about? Does it have info you need?
- Where - is the info coming from? Check the URL/domain, look up domain owner
- Why - is the site on the web? How does it affect the info? Look for purpose, mission, and advertising. Is the site being persuasive?
- When - was the site created/updated? Is the date important for the timeliness of the content?
- How - accurate or credible is the page? How would I cite it? Are there spelling or grammar errors on page? Can I verify the info from another source?
CARRDSS (Joyce Valenza - 7 criteria for web evaluation)
For a PowerPoint on this system, click here.
Need help with the terminology used? Click here for a glossary.
