This document provides guidance on evaluating the currency, reliability, authority, and purpose/point of view of a website source. It suggests considering factors like the date a website was last updated, whether the content is fact or opinion, the credentials and affiliations of the author, whether references are provided, and whether ads or biases are present that could influence the purpose or intended audience. Evaluating these components can help determine the overall quality and credibility of a website source.

1. Currency
• How recent is the information?
• Can you find a date when the page was
created or last updated?
• Does the website appear to be updated
automatically (this could mean no one is
actually looking at it)?
• Based on your topic, is it current enough?

2. Reliability
• What kind of information is included in the website?
• Based on your other research, is it accurate and
complete?
• Is the content primarily fact or opinion?
• Is the information balanced or biased?
• Does the author provide references for quotations and
data?
• Do links provided on the website work?

3. Authority
• Can you determine who the author/creator is?
• Is contact information provided?
• What are their credentials (education, affiliation,
experience, etc.)?
• Is there evidence they are subject experts?
• Who is the publisher or sponsor of the site? Are
they reputable?

4. Purpose/Point of View
• What’s the intent of the website (to persuade, to sell you
something, etc.)?
• What is the domain (.edu, .org, .com)? How might that
influence the purpose/point of view?
• Are there ads on the website? How do they relate to the
topic being covered?
• Who is the intended audience?
• Is the author presenting fact or opinion?
• Who might benefit from a reader believing this website?
From South Mountain Community College Library - http://libguides.southmountaincc.edu/CRAPtest