Are you a wise consumer of information?  Do you know what the content is of the resource you are searching?

• Does it cover the subject area, time period, type of literature you need? 
• Who is responsible for the resource? 
  • A government agency?
  • The profession's professional association?
  • A reputable database vendor to which your library or school system subscribes?
  • A university

What are "scholarly" or "peer-reviewed" articles?

• Written by scholars or experts on the topic
   
• Content has been critically evaluated by other experts
   
• Contain citations (footnotes and/or bibliography) documenting sources

• How can you tell if an article is peer-reviewed?
  • Within the search, choose the Limit for Scholarly/Peer-reviewed.  or
  • When looking at a citation within a database, click the journal title until you reach the Publication Details.  Look for the "Peer reviewed" field.  or
  • Look up the journal title in the Serials Directory.  Look in the "Refereed" field.  Refereed = Peer Reviewed

The CAARP Test is a list of questions that can help you evaluate the information you locate. 

Currency: the timeliness of the information

• When was the information published or posted?
• Has the information been revised or updated?
• Is the information current or out-of date for your topic?
• If a website, are the links functional?   

Authority: the source of the information

• Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
• Are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given?
• What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given?
• What are the author's qualifications to write on the topic?
• Is there contact information, such as a publisher or e-mail address?
• Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?
  •  examples:
    • .com (commercial), .edu (educational), .gov (U.S. government)
    • .org (nonprofit organization), or
    • .net (network)

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 biased and free of emotion?
• Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors?

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 using this source for a research paper or project?

Purpose: the reason the information exists

• What is the purpose of the information? to inform? teach? sell? entertain? persuade?
• Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
• Is the information fact? opinion? propaganda?
• Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
• Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?

The CRAAP test was developed by librarians at California State University, Chico. It was modified for visual connection here.