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READ 201: Use & Evaluate Scholarly Sources

This online guide and tutorial was created for the students enrolled in undergraduate READ courses.

The CRAAP Test

Currency

The timeliness of the information:
- When was the information published or posted?
- When was the information last revised or updated? (online this is often found in the footer area)
- Is the published date appropriate in relation to your research topic? Are you doing current or historical research?
- Is this the most current information available on your topic?
- If reviewing a web source, are the links functional or are they broken?

Relevance

The importance of the information in relation to your topic:
- What is the depth of coverage? Does it cover all important context?
- Is the information unique? Is it available elsewhere, or referencing another source?
- Who is the intended audience? Is the information at the appropriate level for your research or does it target a different type of audience?
- Is it scholarly or popular material?
- Does it fulfill all your assignment requirements?

Authority

Consider the source of the content:
- Who is the author, creator, or sponsor of the information?
- What are the author’s credentials or organizational affiliations?
- Is contact information available, such as an email address?
- Is the source reputable? Does the author have a reputation? Google them!
- Has the author published works in traditional formats, or only online?
- If searching online, what does the domain name/URL reveal about the source? Websites that end with .com are commercial websites (usually selling something). Websites with .edu are educational. Websites with .gov are official government websites. Websites with .org are organizations, commonly used for schools and non-profits. Don't accept .org websites at face value, be sure to check out the "About" section since for-profit entities also use them.

Accuracy

The reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the informational content:
- Where does the information come from? Are there sources listed? Did the author provide a references list or bibliography?
- Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
- Are the sources trustworthy and credible?
- Can you verify the information from independent sources? Corroborate!
- Are there spelling, grammar, factual, or other typographical errors?

Purpose

The reason the information exists:
- What is the purpose of the information? To Inform? Teach? Persuade? Sell? Entertain?
- Does the language or tone seem biased?
- Does the point of view appear objective, impartial, and considering multiple perspectives?
- Is the information based on facts, opinion, or propaganda?
- Does the site provide information or does it attempt to debunk other information? (Weighing positive evidence versus negative evidence)
- Is the website free of advertising?
- Does the organization appear to support or sponsor the page? Is there a conflict of interest?

Adapted from Blakeslee, Sarah (2004) "The CRAAP Test," LOEX Quarterly, 31(3). Available at: http://commons.emich.edu/loexquarterly/vol31/iss3/4

Scholarly vs. Popular Periodicals

Scholarly vs. Popular Literature

Click on the document below to review the differences between popular and scholarly literature.

Popular vs. Scholarly Literature

Scholarly Literature - Additional Information

This slide provides information on some of the characteristics of scholarly literature, especially in relation to peer-reviewed material.

Scholarly Literature Side

Types of Periodicals: Journals, Magazines, and Trade Magazines

	SCHOLARLY JOURNALS	POPULAR MAGAZINES	TRADE MAGAZINES
ADVERTISING	Few or no advertisements	Extensive advertising	Extensive advertising
AUDIENCE	Scholars and college students	General; broad-based	Working Professionals
AUTHOR	Scholars & researchers	Staff and freelance writers	Professionals and staff
BIBLIOGRAPHY	Articles: long bibliographies	None	Might have a short bibliography
LANGUAGE/TONE	Academic, research-oriented	Simple language	Professional terminology
LENGTH OF ARTICLE	Can be 6-40 pages	Varies; often short	Varies, often short
OVERALL APPEARANCE	Few or no pictures Text w/statistics Few colors	Extensive pictures Glossy Colorful	Extensive pictures Glossy Colorful
PUBLISHER	University or professional	For-profit, commercial	Professional organizations
EXAMPLES	*American Journal of Sociology* *Social Problems* *Crime and Delinquency* *Journal of Sociology* Scholarly journals are expensive and available through academic libraries.	*Time* *Newsweek* *Discover* *Sports Illustrated* *InStyle* Magazines are available in bookstores and stores.	**Corrections Today Police Chief Beverage World American Libraries Fast Food Times Trade magazines come with membership in a professional organization.**

Last Updated: Jul 22, 2025 10:09 AM
URL: https://libraryguides.fullerton.edu/READ201a
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Subjects: Education

Tags: education, freshman, future scholars, read 201, read201, read290, reading

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