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Research Process: A Step-By-Step Guide: 3: Resource Evaluation

A guide to help you through the steps of the research process.

Evaluate Information and its Sources Critically

You must critically evaluate the information you intend to use for research. The "best" information isn't necessarily what's most convenient. It's relevant information that is in the right format, published at the right time, and authored by the right people.

Evaluating Information

When doing research, it is important to find information that is reliable, accurate, and appropriate for your assignment. Some assignments may require you to use or limit certain sources such as:

One way to evaluate information before you use it in your assignments is to use the CRAAP test.

Why Evaluate?

Knowing how to evaluate information can help you with research assignments as well as bigger life decisions

Knowing how to find relevant and accurate information can help you make informed decisions about graduate school, a new car purchase, financial aid, jobs, your health, and more.

Criteria for Evaluating Information