C.A.R.S. Checklist

The C.A.R.S. Checklist is one way to evaluate information sources. It asks you to look for Credibility, Accuracy, Reasonableness, and Support before deciding to use or trust an information source.

Credibility is being recognized as knowing about the subject the author is writing about and caring about the quality of the information the author shares.

• Look for the organization that is publishing or sponsoring the information source. Are they an authority on the subject? Does the source have an agenda?
• Look for the author of the information source. Is the person an authority on the subject? How do you know?
• Look at the document as a whole. Are there obvious writing errors? Are there broken links that suggest the page isn't maintained? Are there advertisements that are out of place?

Accuracy is having information that is current, complete, and correct.

• Look to see if the information in this source agrees with other sources on the same subject.
• Check to see if the information source contradicts itself.
• Look to see how recent the information is and how recently it has been updated.

Reasonableness is being truthful and unbiased.

• What is the author/site's point of view?
• What is the author/site's argument? Do they provide evidence to support it? Is the evidence relevant or irrelevant to the argument?
• Is the author/site trying to sell you something?
• What does the author/site gain by sharing this information with you?
• Does the author/site have a bias? Are they arguing for an opinion?

Support is having verifiable sources of information.

• Does the author/site list their sources?
• Can you find the sources? Are they also high quality sources?
• Can you contact the author/organization if you need to?