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COMM 2005: Honors Communication Seminar

This is a class guide for Instructor Stephanie Bailey's COMM 2005 Honors Communication Seminar

Evaluating Sources

There is a lot of information out there, but how do you determine what is good information? Try using the CRAAP test to determine if your source is reliable.

Currency: Timeliness of the information
  • Why was this information published? 
  • Has the research been revised or updated? 
  • Does your topic require current information or historical?
Relevance: Importance of the information for your topic  
  • Does the information relate to your topic or help to answer your question? 
  • Who is the intended audience? 
  • Have you looked at other sources to determine this one is best?
Authority: Source of the information
  • Who is the author, publisher, and source? 
  • What are their credentials or affiliations? 
  • Is the author qualified to speak on the topic?
Accuracy: Reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content
  • Where does the information come from? 
  • Is it supported by evidence? 
  • Is it peer reviewed? 
  • Can you verify the information in another source? 
  • Does the language seem unbiased?
Purpose: Reason the information exists
  • What is the purpose of this information (to inform, teach, entertain, persuade)? 
  • Does the author make their intention clear? 
  • Is it factual or opinion based? 
  • Does the point of view seem objective or is there bias?

Evaluating Websites

When evaluating website sources, paying attention to domain extensions can help you judge reliability. Domain extensions are the last part of a web address (like .com or .edu). Here’s what to know:

  • .edu — Educational institutions. Often reliable, but check the author (students vs. professors).

  • .gov — Government websites. Highly trustworthy for official data and laws.

  • .org — Usually non-profits. Can be reliable, but some have strong biases.

  • .com — Commercial sites. Good for news or products, but watch for advertisements and profit-driven content.

  • .net — Originally for networks, now used broadly. Quality varies; verify the author.

Tips:

  • Always check who wrote the content, even on trusted domains.

  • Look for signs of bias or outdated information.

  • Use domain type as a clue — not a final judgment!

This helps you choose credible sources for research!