Not all sources are created equal. When you find a potential source for an assignment, how do you know whether it is a good source or not? One of the most popular evaluation techniques is the CRAAP Test.
The CRAAP Test
CURRENCY: Timeliness of the information
- When was the information published or posted?
- Has the information been revised or updated?
- Does your topic require current information or will older sources work just as well?
RELEVANCE: The importance of the information for your needs
- Does the information related to the topic or answer your question?
- Who is the intended audience?
- Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e., is it too elementary for a college assignment?)
- Would you be comfortable citing this source in a research paper?
AUTHORITY: The source of the information
- Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor of the information?
- What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?
- Is the author qualified to write on the topic?
- Does the URL provide information about the author or source?
ACCURACY: Reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of content
- Where does the information come from?
- Is the content supported by evidence?
- Can you verify the information from another source? Is it peer-reviewed?
- Does the language or tone seem unbiased and free from emotion?
- Are there spelling, grammar, or typographical errors?
PURPOSE: The reason the information exists
- What is the purpose of the information? To inform, teach, sell, entertain, or persuade?
- Is the information fact, opinion, or propaganda?
- Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
- Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?
You can download this information as a handout below.
