Evaluating for Credible Sources
When you search for information you will find many sources. But not all sources are credible. How do you know what is a credible sources and what is misinformation? There are tools and resources that academics and researchers use to decide if a sources is credible. One method we recommend is the CRAAP test. By asking a series of questions about your source, you can decide if the source is credible or not.
What is in the CRAAP TEST?
CURRENCY: How old is the material?
RELEVANCE: How important is this information to your topic?
AUTHORITY: How much experience does the author have in the topic?
ACCURACY: How reliable or truthful is the content?
PURPOSE: Why was this information written?
Using the CRAAP Test
To use the CRAAP test, check out the list of questions below. You can use the rating scale to help figure out how relatively weak or strong the source is. Remember, not every source you find is a credible source.
Evaluation Criteria
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?
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? 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?