The T.R.A.P. Test: Evaluating Information

Don’t be trapped by websites--learn how to evaluate them!

Timeliness: The "newness" of the information

• How recent is the information?

• Can you locate a date when the page(s) were written/created/updated?

• Does the website appear to update automatically (this could mean no one is actually looking at it)?

• Based on your topic, is it current enough?

Reliability

• What kind of information is included in the website?

• Based on your other research, is it accurate? ...complete?

• Is the content primarily fact, or opinion?

• Is the information balanced, or biased?

• Does the author provide references for quotations and data?

• If there are links, do they work?

Authority

• Can you determine who the author/creator is?

• Is there a way to contact them?

• What are their credentials (education, affiliation, experience, etc.)?

• Is there evidence they're experts on the subject?

• Who is the publisher or sponsor of the site?

• Is this publisher/sponsor reputable?

Accuracy: The reliability and correctness of the information

• Where does the information come from?

• Does the author cite other sources? What does he/she cite?

• Does the information in this resource agree with other resources you have found and your own personal knowledge?

Purpose / Point of View

• What's the intent of the website (to persuade, to sell you something, etc.)?

• What is the domain (.edu, .org, .com, etc.)? How might that influence the purpose/point of view?

• Are there ads on the website? How do they relate to the topic being covered?

• Is the author presenting fact, or opinion?

• Who might benefit from a reader believing this website?

• Based on the writing style, who is the intended audience?

(adapted from the Meriam Library, California State University, Chico and South Mountain Community College, Phoenix Arizona)