Welcome to the 4-Step Strategy for Evaluating Online Sources. In this module, you learn how to take four critical steps to evaluate online sources and use reliable sources for college research and for making informed decisions. To begin, review the information under the Four Steps found below.

Learning Outcome

This Learning Module can help you:

Step 1 Check and Identify

The first step is to check and identify six quality indicators of an online source to get our first impression. 

Step 2 Investigate and Discover

The second step is to do more investigation with the CRAAP (currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, and purpose) Test.

Step 3 Read and Think

The third step is to further evaluate sources through critical thinking and lateral reading. 

Step 4 Reflect and Practice

The fourth step is to think critically about our own biases and perspectives through reflective practice. 

Put it Together

Let’s recap what we’ve learned in the 4-step strategy for online source evaluation.

This module is designed and created by:

Grace Liu, Assistant Professor, Business Librarian at FHG Library

Amy Pajewski, Assistant Professor, Student Success Librarian at FHG Library

Rachel M. McMullin, Professor, Humanities Librarian at FHG Library

is advised by

Tom Pantazes, Instructional Designer, Office of Digital Learning & Innovation

is sponsored by

The West Chester University (WCU) Committee for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) Grant

CC Attribution License CC-BY