Evaluating Websites
Remember that you can use Google to find sources. However, all sources must be creditable and written within the last five years. Make sure that all of the sources included in your paper pass the CAARP Test.
CAARP Test
The following is a list of questions to help you evaluate information that you find. Some questions, or criteria, will be more important than others, depending on the project you are working on. If you're not sure how certain criteria apply to your information source, ask a librarian for help!
Key: ** indicates criteria is for Web sources only
Currency: The timeliness of the information.
Authority: The source of the information.
Accuracy: The reliability, truthfulness and correctness of the content.
Relevance: The importance of the information for your needs.
Purpose: The reason the information exists.
Evaluating Information – Applying the CAARP Test
created by: Meriam Library, California State University, Chico
Many students wait until they finish writing their paper before citing their sources. They may find themselves “on a roll,” and will not want to stop to check or to cite their sources, thinking they will add their citations later. It is a better idea to cite your sources as you find them and use them. Use these tips to help ensure that documenting your sources is quick and easy!
The best way to make sure you do not forget to cite the sources you use - cite while you write!
You will primarily be citing your sources in MLA format. We have a lot of tools that can help with this. If you need to create original citations, refer to the library's Style Citation, MLA handout or stop by the library or the Writing Center for help.
Most of the library databases will create an MLA citation for you. Look around for the Cite or Cite This link on the article page. If you email the article to yourself, the email window usually asks which citation style you need. If you have any trouble finding this, please contact the library.
If you are using your own MLA Style book, make sure it is the 8th edition!
Other Citation Resources
Review this model paper and find other citation and writing assistance from Purdue University's OWL, including Avoiding Plagiarism and Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing.
How do I cite an e-book? a tweet? Answers from the publisher of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. Part of the MLA Style Center.
Provided below are guides to help you with MLA style Citation
1. MLA 8th ed, Handout - is a works cited documentation.
2. Visual Guide to MLA 8th ed., with MS Word Help- is a sample paper that includes MS Word tool tips to make formatting your paper and works cited easier.
3. MLA Style Guide 8th ed. - is a guide based on the 8th edition of the MLA Handbook published in 2016.
For Writing Help contact TCCD Writing Centers
South Campus Writing Center
These sites have free, online tools that can help you format citations for your works cited page.