Evaluating Resources using the CAARP Method
Currency
- How recent is the information?
- Is it out of date?
Authority
- Who authored the information?
- What are their credentials?
Accuracy
- How reliable is the information?
- Do the authors cite their sources?
Relevance
- Does this information source have any real value to your topic?
Purpose
- Does the information have a bias, agenda, or is trying to sell something?
If you cannot answer all or most of these questions, the information may be a bit fishy.
Visit the Strategies tab for more questions to ask yourself and strategies to use when evaluating sources, or visit the Rate My Source tab for an interactive tool to evaluate your source.