IB Chemistry: Polymers: CRAP Evaluation

by Peter Steiner / published by The New Yorker on July 5, 1993

Currency

• When was the information created?
• Can you find a copyright date on the website or figure out the last time it was updated?
• Does your research question depend upon up-to-date information?

Reliability

• Are there links or references on the page? Do the links work?
• What kind of information is included in the website? Facts? Analysis? Opinions?
• Based on what you know, is it accurate?
• Can you verify the information in another source?

Authority

• Can you determine who the author/creator is?  
• Is there an "About" or "Contact" link?
• Are they an expert?  How can you tell?
• Who is the publisher or sponsor of the site?
• Does the website URL reveal anything about the author or the source? (.com / .edu / gov / .org / .net, etc.)

Purpose / Point of View

• Can you tell why the information was published?
• Can you detect any political, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal bias?
• Are there ads on the website?
• Can you tell the intended audience of this site?