This video uses the following criteria - which are similar to the CRAAP test.
Ask yourself the following questions about each website you're considering:
Currency: Timeliness of the information
Relevance: The importance of the information for your needs
Authority: The source of the information
Accuracy: The reliability, truthfulness and correctness of content
Purpose / Point of View: The reason the information exists
By scoring each category on a scale from 1 to 10 (1 = worst, 10=best possible) you can give each site a grade on a 50 point scale for how high-quality it is!
45 - 50 Excellent | 40 - 44 Good | 35 - 39 Average | 30 - 34 Borderline Acceptable | Below 30 - Unacceptable
Whether searching for school, work or personal reasons, all of us can say we have encountered websites that led to false information. When browsing recreationally, this is not so much of an issue; however, when it is important that the information you seek is factual and credible there are some things to be on the lookout for.
Accuracy - The author or entity that created the content should be crystal clear. This is usually presented in a "About Us" or "Mission" section of the website. Additionally, there should be a way to contact the author/organization. If it cannot be determined who or what generated this content, it is probably because they do not want you to know.
Authority - The credentials / expertise of the author or organization should be available. Further, sources should be listed that describe where any "facts", graphs or statistical information is coming from. Sometimes here it is helpful to search within .edu, .org or .gov domains.
Objectivity - Does the site provide true content or is it just an “ad”? Is the content objective and unbiased? Note: It's not that a biased website contains false information; rather, it does not present both sides of the story. When first trying to ascertain the facts of something, it's important to be presented with balanced content.
Currency - When was the last time the website was updated? If there are dead links or obviously outdated content, this should be a sign that this website is not being properly maintained.
Coverage - Is there a balance of text vs images? Are there citations that could lead to additional information on the topic? In other words, you should not be asked to pay for content or install any software out of the ordinary to view the website.
*Compiled by Kapoun, Jim. "Teaching undergrads WEB evaluation: A guide for library instruction." C&RL News (July/August 1998): 522-523.
No configuration is necessary. When you conduct a search within Google Scholar, articles that can be linked to full text will have a "Molloy Full Text" hyperlink at the right of the results as illustrated below:
You can connect via the instructions in the GET IT FAST box or use the GoogleScholar searchbox provided on this guide. You can also manually configure Google Scholar on your home computer or laptop in a few simple steps:
Setting Additional Preferences: While in the Scholar preferences, you may also want to take a moment to set the Search Language to English and if desired,
The last three letters of a web address reveal the content of the web site.
.com | commercial |
.org | organization |
.net | business |
.gov | government |
.mil | military |
.edu | educational |
.aero | aeronautics |
.biz | business |
.coop | cooperative |
.museum | museum |
.name | registered by an individual |
.pro | professionals such as lawyers, doctors, and accountants |
.int | registers treaty organizations |
.info | is unrestricted |
"The Web zine www.scambusters.com is an action alert network that digs up dirt on Net and telecommunications fraud, ranging from "services" that charge astronomical prices for domain name registration to con artists who partner with Caribbean-based companies to rake in crooked pay-per-call charges. "
http://register.com/
Finding Credible Websites Using Advanced Google Search
For whatever reason, google has deliberately chosen to hide the advanced search link as well as its own help page that describes Advanced Search Tips.
As you modify anything in the advanced search screen, you can see how it is modified within the basic Google search box. After a while you'll become an expert on typing your advanced searches in right from the basic search box! Click search below, to give it a try!