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Evaluating Online Resources

Introduction

There are two components to this guide:

  • Quick Online Verification: These are skills you can use for a fast evaluation of an online source that is not found in a library database.
  • Credibility of the Online Site: This is a process to more thoroughly check an online source in terms of:
    • Currency
    • Relevance
    • Authority
    • Accuracy
    • Purpose

Overview For Evaluating Online Resources

We find the most current information in journal articles, blog posts, tweets, etc. How do we evaluate this information for validity and reliability? We are going to use a combination of tools to perform the C.R.A.A.P. (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose) Test. Select the link below to see the form for the C.R.A.A.P. Follow the instructions on the other pages in this section to follow the process.

Google Chrome Tools

You will need to use Google Chrome as your browser. Then, you will download extensions using the following steps:

1. Select the 3 vertical dots in the upper right-hand corner

2. Select More tools

3. Select Extensions

4. Download the following extensions:

  • DigiPo: Shortcuts for fact-checking on web pages
     
  • Official Media Bias Fact Check Icon: Shows political bias for some pages
     
  • B.S. Detector: Warns users about unreliable sources
     
  • Official Media Bias/Fact Check
    Extension
    : Shows political bias on some Facebook posts

     
  • Trusted Times: Analyzes news websites

  • Project Fib:Detects fake news on Facebook feed
Screenshot with arrows showing where to find browser extensions