Ethnic Studies

To quote Sarah Blakeslee, the librarian at Chico State who developed the CRAAP Test: "When you search for information, you're going to find lots of it . . . but is it good information?"

As you are certainly well aware, we are bombarded with information -- it's nearly impossible to NOT be inundated by information just by going about our daily routines! So, whether you are searching for information to finish a homework assignment, or you are searching the web to find out how late your favorite taqueria is open, you're going to have to determine if the information you found is accurate.

So, how do you sort out good information from bad? How can you be sure that the information you found is accurate, up-to-date, or reliable? How do you determine if that 30-page article you found in a scholarly journal will work for your assignment?

Evaluation

Evaluating resources can help you make more informed decisions, and can help save you time. The CRAAP test below is one way to evaluate information.

The CRAAP Test was developed in 2004 and it has been adapted by many libraries over the past sixteen years and has been primarily used to evaluate scholarly sources. The version of the CRAAP Test below comes from a pdf from the CSU Chico Library website. 

Remember, it may not be possible to answer all of these questions when evaluating a source. 

The CRAAP Test

Currency: The 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 as well?
• Are the links functional? (web only)

Relevance: The importance of the information for your needs.

• Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
• Who is the intended audience?
• Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?
• Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?
• Would you be comfortable citing this source in your research paper?

Authority: The source of the information.

• Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
• What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?
• Is the author qualified to write on the topic?
• Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?
• Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source? (web only)
  examples: .com .edu .gov .org .net

Accuracy: The reliability, truthfulness and correctness of the content.

• Where does the information come from?
• Is the information supported by evidence?
• Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
• Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
• Does the language or tone seem unbiased and free of emotion?
• Are there spelling, grammar or typographical errors?

Purpose: The reason the information exists.

• What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain or persuade?
• Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
• 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?

Click here for an Infographic Version