Some things to consider in evaluating the quality of research sources:
Timeframe
- When was the information created, published or posted?
- Has the information been revised or updated?
- Is the information current or out of date for your topic?
Relevance
- Does the information relate to your topic?
- Who is the intended audience?
- Is the information at an appropriate level (e.g. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?
- Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?
- Does it seem credible?
- Would you be comfortable using this source for a research paper?
Authority
- Who is the creator and/or author and/or publisher and/or source and/or sponsor?
- Is there any information about the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?
- Is the writer an expert on the subject? What are their qualifications?
- Is there contact information, such as a publisher or e-mail address?
Accuracy
- Where does the information come from?
- Are citations and references provided?
- Is the information supported by evidence?
- Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
- Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
- Does the language or tone seem objective and free of emotion?
- Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors?
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Why do you trust it?
Purpose/Point of View
- What is the purpose of the information (e.g. to inform, teach, sell, entertain, persuade etc.)?
- Do the authors and/or sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
- Is the information fact, opinion and/or propaganda?
- Is it objective or biased?
- Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases?
The TRAAP Test is modified from The CRAAP Test, created by Sarah Blakeslee and the librarians at California State University's Meriam Library in 2004.
