The PACAC Method (Quartiello and Devine)
Purpose
Why was this source created? What was the intent of the creator (i.e., inform, instruct, educate, entertain, inspire, promote a cause or product, persuade, make money, etc.)
Website – is it a personal page or an organizational site?
Who was this created for? Who is the intended audience?
Authority
Who created this source?
Academic affiliation
Academic or other degrees
Other sources created by this person
Life experience does this creator have that would make him/her an expert
Other credentials
Primary or Secondary
Primary = actual observations or experiences of the creator
Secondary = the creator uses and interprets primary sources; does not use firsthand
experiences or observation
Currency
As related to your topic
Accuracy
Is it correct?
Misspellings / grammatical errors
Inaccuracies (false information)
Citations or references of other works used by the creator
Content
Does it meet your informational need?
Does it answer the main questions you have?
Based on Quaratiello, Arlene R. and Jane Devine. The College Student’s Research Companion: Finding, Evaluating, and Citing the Resources You Need to Succeed. 5th ed. New York: Neal-Schuman, 2011. Print.