3. CURRENCY:
How recent is the information?
How recently has the website been updated?
Is it current enough for your topic?
Does the site include links that no longer work?
(this can be a sign that the site is poorly run and
rarely updated)
Image via http://top10hell.com/top-10-weirdest-clocks/
4. RELIABILITY:
What kind of information is included in the resource?
Is content of the resource primarily opinion?
Is it balanced?
Does the creator provide references or sources for
data or quotations?
Is the information on the site comparable to related
sources? Image via http://broclo.blogspot.com/2011/05/reliability.html
5. AUTHORITY:
Who is the creator or author?
What are the credentials?
Who is the publisher or sponsor?
Are they reputable?
What is the publisher’s interest (if any) in this
information?
Image via http://www.funnyjunk.com/funny_pictures/205598/Question+Authority/
6. “’Who is the author?’ is the root question. If you
don’t find one, turn your skepticism meter to the
top of the dial. And useeasywhois.comto find out
who owns the site if there is no author listed. If the
author provides a way to ask questions,
communicate, or add comments…dial back the
skepticism…”
- Howard Rheingold
7. PURPOSE/POINT OF VIEW:
Is this fact or opinion?
Is it biased?
Is the creator/author trying to sell you something?
Are there advertisements on the website?
Image via http://fineartamerica.com/featured/point-of-view-renate-dartois.html
8. Works Cited
O'Mahony, Donal. “CRAP Detection, Digital Publishing, and
Time.” ELearning Island. N.p., 2 Jan. 2011. Web. 24 Oct.
2011. http://donalomahony.edublogs.org/2011/01/02/crap-
detection-digital-publishing-and-time/
Rheingold, Howard. "Crap Detection 101." SF Gate.com
City Lights Blog. N.p., 30 June 2009. Web. 24 Oct. 2011.
http://blog.sfgate.com/rheingold/2009/06/ 30/crap-detection-
101/
