Evaluating Sources: TRAAP Test

Timeframe

• When was the information created, published or posted?
• Has the information been revised or updated? 
• Is the information current or out of date for your topic?

Relevance 

• Does the information relate to your topic?
• Who is the intended audience?
• Is the information at an appropriate level (e.g. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?
• Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?
• Does it seem credible?
• Would you be comfortable using this source for a research paper?

Authority 

• Who is the creator and/or author and/or publisher and/or source and/or sponsor?
• Is there any information about the author's credentials or organizational affiliations? 
• Is the writer an expert on the subject? What are their qualifications? 
• Is there contact information, such as a publisher or e-mail address?

Accuracy 

• Where does the information come from?
• Are citations and references provided? 
• 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 objective and free of emotion?
• Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors?

• Why do you trust it?

Purpose

• What is the purpose of the information (e.g. to inform, teach, sell, entertain, persuade etc.)?
• Do the authors and/or sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
• Is the information fact, opinion and/or propaganda?
• Is it objective or biased?
• Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases?

Watch a short tutorial describing how to evaluate sources using the TRAAP Test.