A useful tool to get started with checking the quality of the information you are relying on for your assignments. Modified from the original by Meriam Library, CSU and adapted using SIFT lateral reading strategies and includes some terms and questions from the Rauru Whakarare Evaluation Framework.
| Currency: |
When was the information published or posted? Are links functional? |
| Relevance: |
Does it help solve your problem? What is the value of the information to the profession? |
| Authority: |
Have you checked the authority or mana of the author / organisation in another source? Watch a 2 minute video with tips to investigate a source. Is the information from an official source e.g. .govt.nz; .ac.nz; .health.nz; .parliament.nz; .cri.nz etc? If it's an article in a journal, is the journal peer reviewed? |
| Accuracy: |
Can you verify their information in another source? Have you checked the whakapapa or background of the information? Watch a 3 minute video with tips to find the original source. Watch a 3 minute video with tips to look for trusted work. |
| Purpose: |
Have you considered the aronga or objectivity of the information? Why was the source created and who was it created for? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain or persuade? Is there evidence of bias or agenda? Watch a 6 minute video on identifying bias and agenda Do you know the difference between misinformation and disinformation? |
A CRAAP Test model for website evaluation - a downloadable checklist modified from Meriam Library, CSU.
An example of evaluating a video from Waikato University by applying the CRAAP test to Plandemic using lateral reading techniques.
Te Whatu Aho Rau framework replaces Rauru Whakarare Framework being an improved Māori-informed perspective on information evaluation. To understand how this framework differs from the Rauru Whakarare Framework watch this webinar on You Tube presented by the Massey Senior Lecturer, Angela Feekery and Law Librarian, Catherine Doughty. Use the guiding questions by clicking the plus signs within the interactive learning tool below to assist you in evaluating your sources. [Artist: Maihi Potaka]
Doughty, C. Chapter 4: Evaluating your information sources. In C. Doughty, M. Harvey, P. Quin, & P. Worthington. (2025). Research skills for postgraduate study. Victoria University of New Zealand. This book includes:
Further reading
Feekery, A., & Tawhai, R. (2024). Te Whatu Aho Rau: He Anga Arotake: An information evaluation framework. https://sites.google.com/view/angela-feekery/te-whatu-aho-rau-he-anga-arotake
Feekery, A., Condon, S. M., & Witsel, S. (2025). Communication skills for business professionals (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Southern Cross University Library. (2025). From search to source: Finding reliable information. Council of Australasian University Libraries (CAUL) OER Collective. https://doi.org/10.25918/text.495
CC- BY-4.0
Mike Caulfield, digital literacy expert and creator of SIFT shares how to apply SIFT to evaluate web sources using lateral reading techniques .
1.The S in SIFT [You Tube: 3 minutes] - Stop and learn how fact checkers outperformed professional historians in a Stanford experiement.
2.The I in SIFT [You Tube: 3 minutes] - Investigate: Tips for developing fact checking skills
3. The F in SIFT [You Tube: 3 minutes] - Find the original source
4. The T in SIFT [You Tube 3 minutes] - Trace to trusted sources
For more about lateral reading to evaluate information see the articles below by McGrew, Ortega, Breakstone & Wineburg.
Take a free online course to apply SIFT techniques - No login required. CC- BY-4.0
OR have a look through this eBook: Web wisdom: how to evaluate and create information quality on the web
Fact-checking from Buzzfeed on You Tube - Experts in the field of fake news debunking
Fact-checking from Ctrl-F on You Tube
This Māori informed approach for evaluating information sources developed by Angela Feekery and Carla Jeffrey at Massey University has been replaced by Te Whatu Aho Rau (Above at no.2). The framework embodies the connectedness of Whakapapa (background), Orokohanga (origins), Mana (authority), Māramatanga (content) and Aronga (lens) of information we are using. The Rauru Whakarare pattern was chosen as it represents interconnectedness. Download the checklist for the Rauru Whakarare Evaluation Framework here.
An overview of the key concepts of Rauru Whakarare Framework.
| Whakapapa | Whakapapa identifies and connects the various layers identified in this framework you should consider when evaluating sources. |
| Orokohanga | Considers where the information has come from and who the authors/publishers of the source are. |
| Mana | Refers to status and standing within a community or organisation. This is vital when considering whether to use a particular source. It connects strongly to the author’s expertise and reputation. |
| Māramatanga | Indicates enlightenment which means that the source should positively impact the wider community of understanding and add value to the existing conversations within a particular topic area. |
| Aronga | Aronga identifies the focus and purpose of the information. It can be influenced by the author/organisation/publisher’s viewpoints and considers whether they are well known for doing this kind of research or work. |
More information on Rauru Whakarare includes: