Student Resources

Basic Search Tips

• Consider what type of information you need and where you might find it.
• Break your topic into key concepts and identify terms for each concept. Start with fewer words. Less yields more.
• Don't be too narrow in your search, especially initially.
• While it is possible to find sources on international or local topics, the strength of many of our academic databases is coverage of US national topics.
• Use Boolean connectors like and, or, and not to connect keywords. Many databases search the words as a phrase otherwise.
• In general, avoid using prepositions like "in," "of," and "on."
• Truncation characters such as an * (asterisk) can expand your search by retrieving various word forms., comput* retrieves computer, computers, computing, computation, etc.
• Look at the subject terms or descriptors that are used for articles that appear relevant. Try other searches using those terms.
• In the sciences and social sciences, when starting a journal article search on a topic, consider adding 'systematic review,' 'meta-analysis,' or 'literature review' along with your keywords.
• Think about which individuals or groups of people or organizations are associated with your topic. These might be additional terms to search.
• Consult a librarian or your faculty member for additional related terms! 

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• Is the information current or out-of date for your topic? Note: very current information is more critical in some fields, e.g. the sciences, than in other fields, e.g., the humanities.
• [Web sites]: Do all links work?

Relevance

The importance of the information for your needs.

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

Authority

The source of the information.

• What is the title or name of the web page(s), entry, or article you are examining? How difficult is this to determine?
• 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? Hint: you may need to look elsewhere to find this information.
• What are the author's qualifications to write on the topic?
• Is there contact information, such as a publisher or e-mail address?
• Is there advertising on the site? If so, what type of advertising is there and is it clearly differentiated from the content?
• [Web sites]: Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source? 
  • subdomain name, example: http://www.stmarytx.edu
  • domain examples: .com .edu .gov .org .net

Accuracy

The reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the informational content.

• Where does the information come from? Is this documented? Are the author's sources listed, either in footnotes, a bibliography, or end references?
• Is the information supported by evidence?
• Is there any indication that the information has been reviewed by editors 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, grammatical, or other typographical errors?

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?
• Who is the intended audience? How can you tell?
• 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?
• [Web sites]: What types of colors, graphics, audio, video, text are used? What do these elements convey? How effectively does the site or page convey the intended message? 
• [Web sites]: Do the graphics provide useful additional information or serve an important function or are they merely aesthetically pleasing?

Adapted from "Evaluating Information – Applying the CRAAP Test." 29 Sept. 2009. Meriam Library, California State University, Chico. Web. 3 Sept. 2010.

Additional Criteria

Other criteria to consider:

• How broad or deep is the coverage of the topic?
• Is this information available here at the library or at another location that is readily accessible?
• What other resources are available on this topic?
• Has a Reference Librarian been consulted to help you find other sources?
• Considering your responses, would you use this information source for a project or paper? Why or why not?