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Nursing: Distance Learners: Websites

This guide explains how to access library resources and assistance for students enrolled in accelerated and/or fully online courses in nursing and school administration.

Clinical Guidelines Websites

Websites

Website Evaluation

Googling for information may produce lots of results, but how can we evaluate the quality of those sites?  

TAKE THE CRAAP TEST!

CURRENCY: The timeliness of the information.

  • When was the information posted?
  • Are the links functional and not out-of-date?

RELEVANCE: The importance of the information for your needs.

  • Who is the intended audience?
  • Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or too advanced for your needs)?
  • Would you be comfortable citing this source on your reference page?

AUTHORITY: The source of the information.

  • Is the author, source, or sponsor identified? What are the author's credentials?
  • Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source (ex. .com, .edu, .gov)?

ACCURACY: The reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content.

  • Where does the information come from?
  • Has the information been peer reviewed?
  • Are there spelling, grammar or typographical errors?

PURPOSE:  The reason the information exists.

  • What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, persuade, or entertain?
  • Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
  • Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?

The CRAAP test was developed in 2004 by librarians at California State University at Chico and provides a quick method for examining the quality of any information source -- especially websites.