Determining the Quality of Information Worksheet

The portions you must complete are presented in the shaded boxes below.

Purpose

Use this worksheet to finalize your research question and to locate and evaluate three online sources that could contribute to answering your research question. You will also reflect on the differences you found during your evaluation of these online sources. Hover over the blue underlined words to access a definition in the Glossary located at the end of this document.

Research Question

Review the feedback your instructor has given to you on your research question on your past assignments. If you're not sure how to view the comments on your papers, you can learn how by watching this HelpNow! HYPERLINK "http://ashford.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/Accessing+Feedback+in+Written+Assignments/0_eqkrftcs/19511472"video. Consider the advice that your instructor has given to you and your experiences researching your topic. Then, write the final version of your research question and a short reflection explaining how and why you revised your research question.

Research Question:

Reflection (100-200 words): How did you incorporate the feedback from your instructor and the experience researching your topic into the final version of your research question?

Locate and Evaluate Online Sources

Use a search engine (like Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo) to locate at least three online sources that could support your research related to your research question. For this assignment, do not use the Ashford Library's research databases to find sources. Using the CRAAP Test handout, conduct a preliminary evaluation of the online sources you have found. It is not required that your online sources meet all of the CRAAP Test criteria. Remember that these online sources should be directed toward helping you answer your research question! Online sources that meet all of the CRAAP criteria may also be appropriate to add to your annotated bibliography in Week Five.

For the three online sources you have selected, provide the link (URL) to each in the space provided below. You will be evaluated on the source your link connects to, so make very certain that the link you supply brings up the exact source you are evaluating - not the home page or another page on the website.

Online Source 1:
Online Source 2:
Online Source 3:

Reflection (200-300 words)
In the spaces below, describe the differences you found between the online sources as you conducted your evaluation.

In what areas did the articles differ in how they met or did not meet the criteria?

How are these differences significant to your research question?

How did conducting this evaluation help you to see which online sources are best to incorporate into your research?

Once complete, save your completed worksheet and return to the online classroom to submit this document through the "Assignment Submission" button below the assignment instructions.

Glossary Return to top

Annotated bibliography: A list of references with descriptions and a brief summary or critical statement about each one. Return

Evaluation: The making of a judgment about the value of something. Return

URL: String of letters and numbers displayed in the top address bar of your web browser. Often ends with .com, .org, .gov, or .net.

When you search for information, you're going to find lots of it . . . but is it good information? You will have to determine that for yourself, and the CRAAP Test can help. The CRAAP Test is a list of questions to help you evaluate the information you find. Different criteria will be more or less important depending on your situation or need.

Evaluation Criteria

Currency: The timeliness of the information.

- When was the information published or posted?

- Has the information been revised or updated?

- Does your topic require current information, or will older sources work as well?

- Are the links functional?

Relevance: The importance of the information for your needs.

- Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?

- Who is the intended audience?

- Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?

- Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?

- Would you be comfortable citing this source in your research paper?

Authority: The source of the information.

- Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?

- What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?

- Is the author qualified to write on the topic?

- Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?

- Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?

examples: .com .edu .gov .org .net

Accuracy: The reliability, truthfulness and correctness of the content.

- Where does the information come from?

- Is the information supported by evidence?

- Has the information been reviewed or refereed?

- Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?

- Does the language or tone seem unbiased and free of emotion?

- Are there spelling, grammar or typographical errors?

Purpose: The reason the information exists.

- What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain or persuade?

- Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?

- Is the information fact, opinion or propaganda?

- Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?

- Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases?