Now that you have had a brief overview on credibility and context. How do you evaluate a source or any source of information?
One way to evaluate information is to use the T.R.A.A.P. method. These criteria can be applied to any source of information.
![Graphic image of evaluation criteria](https://libapps.s3.amazonaws.com/accounts/34294/images/traap_graphic_new.jpg)
Timeliness or How Current
- When was the information published?
- Does the age of the information affect the accuracy?
- Is there a more recent version that supports or refutes the original?
- Are the links functional?
Relevance
- Who is the intended audience?
- Is it pitched at a scholarly audience?
- Have you looked at a variety of similar sources before selecting this one?
- Would you be comfortable citing this source?
Accuracy
- Can the information be verified in other reliable sources?
- Does the research contain sufficient evidence to back it up?
- Has it been through a peer-review process?
- Are there spelling or grammatical errors?
Authority
- Where did the information come from?
- Is the author / publisher / sponsor identified?
- Can their credentials be verified?
- Has the source been cited in other research?
- Do you trust the source?
Purpose / Point of View
- Why was this information created?
- What is the mission or purpose of the information?
- Does it seek to inform, provide facts, to sell, or to persuade you of something?
- Is there evidence of political, religious, institutional, or personal biases?
- Is the information objective and impartial?