Use the CRAAP Test method to determine if a web resource is right for you. Evaluate sources based on the following points:
As a starting point for evaluating websites, one might use the part of the web address immediately after the "dot" (for example, .com) to try to determine the reliability of the information. This part of the address (or URL) is called a "top-level domain" that someone asks to have when creating their website. The websites you most frequently visit have top-level domains, or TLDs, that likely fall into one of the following categories:
TLD | Category | A site with this TLD can be registered by... |
---|---|---|
.com | Unrestricted | Anyone |
.edu | Sponsored | An accredited US-based college or university approved by EDUCAUSE |
.gov | Sponsored | federal, state, or local governments within the US approved by an independent government agency |
.net | Unrestricted | Anyone |
.org | Unrestricted | Anyone |
.va | Country Code | officials of the Vatican |
.za | Country Code | mainly South African citizens and businesses, but no policy excludes others from registering |
Use Google's Advanced search page to get easy access to some of the search tips provided in the box on the left. Try placing .edu, .org, or .gov into the "Search within a site or domain:" box to target more reliable websites for your research.
Try these to get more specific or broader results
Wild Card
Adding a ~
Adding a -
Phrase Search
Boolean Operators
The following websites have information about recent discoveries in the world of paleontology. Look at the websites with your group members and evaluate them.
Remember to consider:
Enter your evaluation into the following Google Spreadsheet