Yes! You can absolutely use a website as a source while doing research. BUT, since almost anyone can post information on the Web, it is crucial that you evaluate the credibility of the website before you use it as a source. A good way to do this is to use the CRAAP Test (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose) by asking this series of questions:
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Currency
the timeliness of the information
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- When was the information published or posted?
- Has the information been revised or updated?
- Is the information current enough for your research topic, or is it too outdated?
- Are the links functional?
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Relevance
the importance of the
information for your needs
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- Does the information relate to your topic and help answer your research question?
- Who is the intended audience?
- Is the information at an appropriate level for your needs? (Neither too basic nor too advanced)
- Have you looked at a variety of sources before deciding to use this one?
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Authority
the expertise or
trustworthiness of the author
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- Who is the author, publisher, source, and/or sponsor of the content?
- What are the author’s credentials or organizational affiliations?
- Is the author qualified to write on this topic?
- Is there contact information provided?
- Does the URL reveal any information about the source?
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Accuracy
the reliability, truthfulness,
and correctness of the content
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- Is the information supported by evidence?
- Has the information been reviewed by other experts before being published?
- Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
- Does the language and tone seem unbiased and free of emotion?
- Are there spelling, grammar, or typographical errors?
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Purpose
the reason the information exists
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- What is the information’s purpose? To teach, inform, sell, entertain, or persuade?
- Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
- Was the research paid for by an organization that stands to benefit from the claim?
- Is the information fact, opinion, or propaganda?
- Does the point of view seem objective or impartial?
- Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?
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For more tips on how to evaluate a website for its credibility, check out our Research Basics: Evaluating Sources guide.
URI Libraries. (n.d.). Evaluating information. Retrieved from https://uri.libguides.com/start/craap
Assumption College Library. (n.d.). Evaluating scientific claims. Retrieved from https://assumption.libguides.com/c.php?g=357936&p=2415559