T is for Timeliness
T stands for timeliness. It helps you evaluate the "when" of an information source.
Watch the T is for Timeliness video to:
- learn about timeliness
- know what questions to ask when you are evaluating the timeliness of a source
Going Step by Step
Now, let's get ready to use the TRAP method to evaluate a source. Let's think of it as a step-by-step process.
The first step in the process is to evaluate a source's timeliness—T. You can ask yourself a few questions to check a source's timeliness:
- When was this published?
- Has it ever been updated?
- Do I need up-to-date information?
- Would an older source be better?
Some of these questions are more relevant for certain types of information sources. For example, some questions are more relevant for newspaper articles, and others are more relevant for websites.
Stop and Think
Which questions do you already ask yourself naturally when you're evaluating a source? Which ones on this list are new to you?
Librarian Tip
Do you want some help going through the Timeliness questions? Ask a Librarian! Send us a live chat, give us a call, or stop by the library's front desk.
URL: https://library.brockport.edu/TRAP