CARRDS Defined
**Note: CARRDS is ONLY for free Internet sites, NOT for subscription databases like World Book, EBSCO, etc..
CREDIBILITY:
Who is the author? Is there an email address to contact the author (not the webmaster)? Why do you trust him or her? Example: The author of this site is a 5th grade class, and so I should use it with caution, if at all. Or, this Civil War site is by a UCLA professor of History, and it provides her email address, so I can trust it.
ACCURACY:
Based on your knowledge, does the information seem accurate? Example: Parts of this site are similar to what I already know about Mexico from my textbook, so I think I can trust the information. Or, I don’t know anything about my topic yet so I am not sure, Or, This site is different from what I learned before, so I should compare it with other sources before I use it.
RELIABILITY:
Does the site present an opinion, point of view, bias? Is this opinion clearly stated? What is it? Example: this site is an anti-smoking, anti-tobacco site. In the “about us” section it says that the purpose of the site is to teach teenagers not to smoke. I understand the opinion and it is fine for my research.
RELEVANCE:
Does this information help to answer my question? Is it in-depth? Is it too hard, too easy, or just right? Yes or no answers are fine for the first part, then rate the level of the information.
DATE:
When was the information created? Was it revised? Are these dates meaningful in terms of subject matter? Example: This site is from 2006 and is about Global Warming, so it is up to date. Or, This site is from 1999 and is about the solar system, so I think it may be too old.
SOURCES:
Does the site have a Works Cited or Bibliography? If they are links, do they still work? Yes or No answers are fine. Elaborate if needed.
OVERALL THIS SITE IS (Circle One):
Very Useful Somewhat Useful Not Good
If this is your answer,find a different site!