craaptest

The CRAAP test

Click each option to learn more.

Currency

Relevance

Authority

Learn more

Learn more

Accuracy

Learn more

Learn more

Learn more

Purpose

Is it relevant?

Consider the following:

• Does the information help answer your research question or help support your arguments/ideas?
• Does the format of the source (e.g., website, journal article) match what you are allowed to use in your assignment?
• Is the content and writing level of the source easy for you to understand and interpret?

Is the source accurate?

Consider the following:

• Does the author provide evidence to support their arguments?
• Does the author list or provide links to their sources? Can you locate and access the sources used?
• Has the source been reviewed for accuracy?(e.g., a journal article has been peer-reviewed; a newspaper article has been fact-checked by an editorial team)
• Is the author not using evidence and just writing from personal knowledge?

Why was the resource created?

Consider the following:

• Was the material created simply to inform? Does it have other purposes such as to sell something, share one's opinion on a topic, misinform the reader, or promote a way of thinking?
• Do you notice any bias in the information presented?
• Is the author doing their best to present an objective and impartial view of the topic?

Is the source current?

Consider the following:

• How recent is the information being provided in your source? (Note: You can check currency by looking at the source's copyright date, last updated date, or date posted/uploaded)
• Do you need the most up-to-date information on your topic? (Note: For some topics where information gets updated often, such as those related to health or technology, it may be best to find and use current sources)
• Does your assignment require you to use sources published within a specific time frame?

Are the authors credible?

Consider the following:

• Who wrote and published the source?
• Is the author a subject expert and/or qualified to write about the topic?
• (Note: If you're unsure, you could try Googling their name to find out their qualifications)
• Is the publisher reputable?