Lifespan Development: Explore Websites

American Factfinder, your source for population, housing, economic, and geographic data.

Alaska Statistics Index Most data provided by State of Alaska agencies are available through this website, including incidences of abuse, use of alcohol, health data related to children, and so much more.

American Psychological Association Psychology Topics From the official website of the American Psychological Association, links to psychology news, articles, and discussions.

A Family Affair: Parents, Children and Society - Psychology Today

Statistical Abstract of the United States.  The Statistical Abstract of the United States, published since 1878, is the authoritative and comprehensive summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the United States.  Although the U.S. Census Bureau stopped collecting data for the Statistical Abstract of the U.S. and its supplemental products in 2011, all of the older issues, from 2012 back to the 1870's, are still available online and offer invaluable information.

Evaluating Information - Applying the CRAAP Test:

Currency: the timeliness of the information

• When was the information published or posted?
• Has the information been revised or updated?
• Is the information current or out-of date for your topic?
• Are the links functional?

Relevance: the importance of the information for your needs

• Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
• Who is the intended audience?
• Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?
• Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?
• Would you be comfortable using this source for a research paper?

Authority: the source of the information

• Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
• Are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given?
• What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given?
• What are the author's qualifications to write on the topic?
• Is there contact information, such as a publisher or e-mail address?
• Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source
      examples: .com (commercial), .edu (educational), .gov (U.S. government),
             .org (nonprofit organization), or .net (network)

Accuracy: the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content, and

• Where does the information come from?
• Is the information supported by evidence?
• Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
• Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
• Does the language or tone seem biased and free of emotion?
• Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors?

Purpose: the reason the information exists

• What is the purpose of the information? to inform? teach? sell? entertain? persuade?
• Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
• Is the information fact? opinion? propaganda?
• Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
• Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?

The CRAAP test was created by the librarians at California State University, Chico.