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The CRAAP Test
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Introduction

It is important to critically evaluate the materials you find not only on the web, but from the library as well. Here are a few things to keep in mind- make sure you only select appropriate, high quality sources using the CRAAP test, developed by Sarah Blakeslee at California State University-Chico in 2004.

Currency

  • When was the information published/posted? For websites, when was it last updated? Are the links functional?

Relevance

  • Who is the intended audience? How detailed is the information? Is the information related to your topic?

Authority

  • Who is the author? For websites, what is the URL? (.com is commercial, .edu is academic, .gov is government, and .org is usually non-profit)

Accuracy

  • Can you verify the claims made? Is there a bibliography? What kinds of sources are cited?

Purpose

  • Objective or biased? How does this influence the treatment of the information?

The CRAAP Test

When you search for information, you're going to find lots of it . . . but is it good information? You will have to determine that for yourself, and the CRAAP Test can help. The CRAAP Test is a list of questions to help you evaluate the information you find. Different criteria will be more or less important depending on your situation or need.


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? (for web sources)


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? (.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?


Adapted from http://www.csuchico.edu/lins/handouts/eval_websites.pdf accessed September 25, 2020.

Other Resources

Here are a few other resources that can help identify reliable sources and some articles on misinformation.

The Debunking Handbook

Web Literacy for Student Fact-Checkers