The CRAP Test
Before using a website for a paper or project, you should evaluate it to make sure that it is appropriate for college level research. Consider the following criteria when you are evaluating a website:
Understanding Domain Names
The domain of a website indicates the type of entity responsible for creating and maintaining the site. The domain can be found in the site's URL and is always preceded by a "." Some common examples are: .com (commercial), .edu (educational), and .gov (government). Get information on these and more here.
Citing resources is an important part of your work! Here are some examples in MLA style. For more MLA information, visit Purdue's OWL (Online Writing Lab)
An Entire Website
Remember to use n.p. if no publisher name is available and n.d. if no publishing date is given.
Editor, author, or compiler name (if available). Name of Site. Version number. Name of institution/organization affiliated with the site (sponsor or publisher), date of resource creation (if available). Medium of publication. Date of access.
A Page on a Website
"Title." website. Publisher, n.d. Web. Date of access.
AIDS.gov
AIDS.gov works to increase HIV testing and care among people most at-risk for, or living with, HIV, by using emerging communication strategies to provide access to Federal HIV information, policies (e.g. the National HIV/AIDS Strategy), programs, and resources.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC Home Search Health Topics A-Z National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
This link will take you to information on sexual risk behaviors in youth.
GLSEN: Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network
The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.
National Survey of Adolescents and Young Adults: Sexual Health Knowledge, Attitudes and Experiences
This comprehensive survey examines the factors that shape and inform the knowledge and decision making of young people. The report examines what kinds of pressure young people face to be sexually active and how they handle the pressure; what they know about HIV/AIDS and STDs; what they know and how they feel about contraception and protection; and what sources inform and influence their decision making.
National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior
Findings from the largest nationally representative study of sexual and sexual-health behaviors ever fielded, conducted by Indiana University sexual health researchers, provide an updated and much needed snapshot of contemporary Americans’ sexual behaviors, including a description of more than 40 combinations of sexual acts that people perform during sexual events, patterns of condom use by adolescents and adults, and the percentage of Americans participating in same-sex encounters.
SEICUS--Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States
SIECUS was founded in 1964 to provide education and information about sexuality and sexual and reproductive health.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The Office is under the direction of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population Affairs (DASPA), whose responsibilities include implementation of the mandated provisions of two categorical grant programs:
- The Family Planning program authorized under Title X of the Public Health Service Act (PHSA), and
- The Adolescent Family Life (AFL) program authorized under Title XX of the PHSA.