• Anyone can create a web page, including people who don’t know what they’re talking about!
  
  
• There is no formal editorial process for most web pages like there is for the publication of books and periodical articles. Web sites are not limited to credible, verifiable sources, bearing the stamp of reputable publishers.
  
  
• Finding information on the Web is easy. Finding quality information is more difficult.
  

Applying the CRAAP Test (From the Meriam Library, California State University, Chico)

Critical thinking skills and an active, questioning mind are needed to judge the credibility of information found on the Web.

Purpose of the site/intended audience

• Are the goals of the author stated? Is there a statement of scope, target audience, or purpose?
• Who do you think the site is designed for? What audience are the site’s authors trying to reach?
• Can you tell if the site is scholarly or popular?
• Does the site contain advertising? What might this tell you?
• What is the overall purpose of the site? To inform? Persuade or advocate? Entertain? Sell a product?

Authority/credibility of author

• Can the author of the site be identified? Is it clear who has ultimate responsibility for the content of the material, whether it be an individual or an organization?
• Is contact information given so that you can get in touch with the author or organization for clarification or more information?
• What are the author’s qualifications? Does he/she list his/her occupation, years of experience, position, or education?
• Do you think the author has expertise on the subject? Are they a researcher or professional in this field?
• What is the author’s institutional affiliation, if any? Is the author affiliated with an educational institution? A non-profit organization? A company?
• What is the domain of the site (.edu, .gov, .org, .com)? Is it a commercial, governmental, organizational, academic, or personal site? From what country does it originate?
• Is this site connected to an organization of any sort? If so, what is the mission of this organization?

Accuracy / reliability of the information on the site

• Does the site appear to be well-researched?
• Are there references to sources of information supporting any statements made or viewpoints held?
• Is statistical information labeled clearly and easy to read?
• Are the sources for any factual or statistical information documented so that the numbers can be verified in another source? 
• What method of data collection or research was used by the author (if applicable)?
• Does the site include grammatical, spelling, or typographical errors?
• How does the site compare to print information resources available on this topic?
• If links to other sites are listed, are they quality sites? 

Currency/timeliness of the information on the site

• When was this information published? Does the page list the date it was created?
• Does the page indicate when it was last updated?
• Are there any “dead” links – links to sites that no longer work?

Objectivity / bias of the site

• Are the goals of the author clearly stated? Is there a statement of scope, target audience, or purpose?
• Does the site present many opinions on the topic, or only one? 
• Can you tell if the site contains mostly opinions or facts?
• Are opinions supported by documented evidence?
• Can you identify any bias in the information and opinions provided?
• Is the site sponsored by a company or organization? 
• Does the site reflect the agenda of a political, religious, or social group or institution?
• If there is advertising on the site, is it clearly differentiated from the informational content? 

Structure / navigation of the site

• Is the organization of the site easy to understand? Is it clear and logical?
• Is it easy to navigate between different parts of the site?
• Is there a link to return to the first page of the site, the home page?
• Does the site offer a table of contents or a site index?
• Does the site offer a search box?
• Do graphics on the site add to or detract from the document itself?

Conclusion

• Is this site a reliable, well-documented source of information from a reputable author / organization?
• Would this be a good source of information for a research paper?