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#SearchSmart! Information Literacy Tutorial

This is a self-learning tutorial that addresses each stage of the research process, including: identifying information needs; selecting sources; finding high-quality, scholarly information; evaluating information; and using information responsibly.

Understanding Evaluation Criteria

Evaluating sources effectively is crucial for your research.

The TRAAP criteria help you assess the quality and reliability of information. Here's a quick guide:

  1. Timeliness: Check the publication date and ensure it’s relevant to your topic.

  2. Relevance: Ensure it’s appropriate for your academic level and directly related to your topic.

  3. Authority: Look for credentials, affiliations, and expertise in the subject matter.

  4. Accuracy: Verify facts and data, and check for citations and references.

  5. Purpose: Determine if it’s intended to inform, persuade, entertain, or sell something, and watch for bias.

Using the TRAAP criteria will help you select high-quality, reliable sources for your research.

Review the downloadable infographic below, which outlines key questions to consider when evaluating a source to ensure its credibility and relevance.

Acknowledgement

The TRAAP Test is modified from The CRAAP Test, created by Sarah Blakeslee and the librarians at California State University's Meriam Library in 2004.

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