Library Research Basics - Quick Guide

Why Evaluate Sources?

• Outside sources can be used to inform your analysis and to support your arguments.
• Sources authored by others let your reader know that you are relying on more than just your opinion.
• You can use a set of criteria to determine whether or not a source is credible.

Evaluating Sources with the CRAAP Criteria

• This set of criteria encourages you to think critically about the reliability of outside sources.
• Sources that are lacking in one or more categories (criteria) are not appropriate for academic writing.
• Before you begin looking for and evaluating sources, review the assignment instructions.

Scholarly vs. Popular Sources

Peer Review in 3 Minutes

Primary vs. Secondary Sources