The CRAAP test guides us through some questions to ask about a source to determine its quality.
Currency
- When was this published? Has it been updated?
- Is the information still accurate now or is it out-of-date or incomplete?
Relevance
- Will this source help you understand your topic or complete your assignment?
- Does this source meet your assignment's criteria?
Authority
- Who published this? Is this a source others trust?
- Who wrote this? What are their credentials?
Accuracy
- Is there evidence for claims made–maybe citations?
- Can you verify the information in other places?
- Do we know or believe this information was reviewed before publication--whether by fact-checkers or through a peer-review process?
Purpose
- Is this source trying to sell something? Is it intended to entertain?
- Are these opinions, based on one perspective, or facts?
- Does this source seem biased?
Tip: You can answer these questions using information from the source and the rest of the web. Don't recognize a publication or website? Google it to see what others are saying!
