The internet is like "...a flea market: there's a vast selection of sites to choose from but not a lot of order to it. Some sites are offered by reputable "dealers" and some from individuals who want to show off their personal favorite items. Sometimes it's hard to tell what's a hidden treasure, what's worth taking a look at, and what's a waste of time." ( ALA's ALSC Children and Technology Committee ). Anyone can publish to the web, whether they are an expert on their subject matter of choice or not. It can be difficult to distinguish between the good and the bad. Use the tools below to assist you in sifting through your web research.
This list was adapted from CRAAP Test created by Meriam Library at California State University, Chico.
The CRAAP Test provides an easy way to evaluate websites (and also any kind of source) you find for your research.
Adapted from Yale University Library's handout The Web vs. Library Databases: A Comparison
Evaluating internet information. (2014). Virginia Tech University Libraries. Retrieved from http://www.lib.vt.edu/instruct/evaluate/
Meriam Library. (2010, September 17). Evaluating Information – Applying the CRAAP Test. Retrieved from http://www.csuchico.edu/lins/handouts/eval_websites.pdf
Yale University Library. (n.d.). The Web vs. Library Databases: A Comparion. Retrieved from https://www.library.yale.edu/researcheducation/pdfs/Searching_Evaluating_Resources.pdf