OPVL Method
| Origin |
| Where the source comes from: What sort of source it is (primary, second ary, scholarly, mass media, database etc.) Source materials of unknown origin are usually not useful in the research process. |
| Purpose |
| The reason the source was created: Some sources are academic articles to inform while others may be personal diaries or journals that record an event. Other sources may try to mislead readers with carefully selected information. |
| Value |
| What parts of the source help answer your research question or contribte to your thesis? |
| Limitation |
| Restrictions on the value of the source: Perhaps it is incomplete because part of the original has been lost. Perhaps the source has too much or too little detail or it ignores certain important and relevant perspectives. |
CRAAP Method
| Currency |
| When was the info published or posted? Has it been updated? Do you need the most current info for your topic? |
| Relevance |
| Does the information directly relate to your topic? Does it help you answer questions? Have you looked at other sources to find the best one? |
| Authority |
| Who is the author or publisher? Are they qualified to write about the topic? If it’s a website, does the URL say anything about the source? .com .gov .edu .org? |
| Accuracy |
| Is the info supported by evidence? Can you verify the info with another source? Is the author or publisher biased or unbiased? |
| Purpose |
| What is the purpose of the info? To teach, sell, persuade, or entertain? Is the info a fact or an opinion? Again, is the author or publisher biased or unbiased? |