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MLA Citation Guide (MLA 9th Edition): Evaluating Sources

A guide to citing sources in MLA style.

How Do You Evaluate a Source?

Once you select a research topic, you will want to search for resources available from the CBC Libraries. How do you decide which information is applicable to your topic and how do you determine the credibility of these journal articles and papers? There are two credibility tests that can help you decide if the information you've found is any good, CRAAP and RADAR. 

The CRAAP Test

“The C.R.A.A.P Test.” Video, 3:52. Posted by Wintec City Library, November 2019. Accessed April 25, 2021. YouTube. YouTube, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieaCVPu6Zec. 

Evaluating Sources with RADAR

"Evaluating Sources with RADAR." Video, 3:21. Posted by Brock University Library, September 2021. Accessed April 25, 2021. YouTube, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlFWx4pBKx8

CRAAP: Currency, Relevancy, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose

Currency refers to the timeliness of the information. 

  • When was the information published or posted? 
  • Has the information been revised or updated?
  • Is the information current, or is it out-of-date for your topic?
  • If there are links on a website, do they work, or are they broken? 

Relevancy: how relevant (related) the information is to your needs.

  • Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question/
  • Who is the intended audience for the information?
  • Is the information at an appropriate level (for example, not too easy and not too difficult for you to deal with)?
  • Have you looked at a variety of sources before deciding this is the one you will use?
  • Will you be comfortable using this source for a research paper

Authority: the source of the information

  • Who is the author, publisher, source, or sponsor?
  • Are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given, or did you have to look for them?
  • 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 (website address) tell you anything about the author or the source?
    • examples:
      • .com (commercial
      • .edu (educational
      • .gov (U..S. government)
      • .org (nonprofit organization
      • .net (network)

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

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

Still not sure?

If you are still not sure about a source after you have put it through the CRAAP test, you might find that RADAR is a better fit for your evaluation. 

RADAR: Relevance, Authority, Date, Appearance, Reason for Writing

Relevance: How is the information related to your assignment?

  • Consider your audience and compare the information source with a variety of other sources.
  • Ask yourself if the information relates to your topic or answers your research question. If it's not related, consider finding another source.

Authority: Who or what is the source of the information?

  • Check the credentials or qualifications of the author. Does the author have credibility through education and/or experience to be writing on a topic?
  • If no author is listed, evaluate the authority of the company, business, or organization that published the information

Date: When was this information published?

  • Is the publication date important to you?
    • Do you need the most recent information on your topic?
  • If you are writing a historical essay, you may need older sources to provide context. 

Appearance: Does the information look professional or academic?

  • Does the information have citations and references?
  • Are articles supported by evidence and citations?
  • Is the information an editorial, opinion piece, or a blog post? 
  • Check the author's references and evaluate the quality of information they use to support their argument. 

Reason for Writing: Why did the author publish this information? 

  • Consider why the information was created. Was it to inform, teach, entertain, persuade, sell something, or some other reason?
  • Are there any clear biases in the information? 

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