When reviewing search results, apply the CRAAP framework:

Currency: How recent is the information? Is it updated to reflect current knowledge?
Relevance: Does it directly relate to your topic or research question? Is it pitched at the right academic/professional level?
Authority: Who is the author/publisher? Are they credible experts or recognized institutions?
Accuracy: Is the content supported by evidence, citations, and reliable data? Can it be verified from other reputable sources?
Purpose: Why was it created? To inform, educate, persuade, or sell? Identifying bias is crucial.

Reliable vs. Unreliable Domains

Reliable domains often include:

.gov → Government websites (official data, policies, statistics).
.edu → Educational institutions (research papers, academic content).
.org → Established organizations, nonprofits, think tanks.

Potentially unreliable sources include random blogs, personal websites, and forums unless authored by recognized experts. These may contain opinions, outdated info, or misinformation.

Practical Application: Comparing Sources

Wikipedia:

Strengths: Good for background information, quick overviews, broad references at the bottom of the page.
Weaknesses: Open-edit model means accuracy can vary; not peer-reviewed; may lack depth.

Academic Article:

Strengths: Peer-reviewed, evidence-based, authored by experts; provides detailed analysis, data, and references.
Weaknesses: May be dense, technical, or behind paywalls; less accessible to general audiences.

Example: Looking up “Impact of Social Media on Teen Mental Health”

Wikipedia entry → gives an accessible summary with general findings and citations.
Academic article (e.g., from PubMed or JSTOR) → provides in-depth analysis, detailed methodology, statistical data, and peer-reviewed conclusions.

M3:S2 - Effective Search Strategies and Evaluating Online Sources

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