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Evaluating Sources With the CRAAP Test

by The CRAAP Test

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released March 10, 2021

How to Evaluate Resources The CRAAP Test is a useful guide to evaluating resources. CRAAP is an acronym for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose and it represents the general categories of criteria that can be used to evaluate the information you find.
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Currency

When was the information published or last updated? Have newer articles been published on your topic? Are links or references to other sources up to date? Is your topic in an area that changed rapidly, like technology or popular culture?

Relevance

Does the information answer your research question?
Does the information meet the stated requirements of the assignment?
Is the information too technical or too simplified for you to use?
Does the source add something new to your knowledge of the topic?

Authority

What are the author’s credentials?
Is the author affiliated with an educational institution or prominent organization?
Can you find information about the author from reference sources or the Internet?
Do other books or authors cite the author?

Accuracy

The reliability, accuracy, and correctness of the content.
Where does the information come from?
Is the information supported by proof?
Has the information been evaluated or refereed?
Can you confirm any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
Does the language or nature appear unbiased and free of emotion?

Purpose

Is the author’s purpose to sell, persuade, entertain, or inform?
Is there an obvious bias or prejudice? Are alternative points of view presented? Does the author omit important facts or data that might disprove the claim? Does the author use strong or emotional language?

Why is the CRAAP test important?

CRAAP test: evaluating source credibility. Evaluating the credibility of the sources you use is of key importance to ensure the credibility and reliability of your academic research. California State University developed the CRAAP test to help evaluate the credibility of a source.

What does the acronym CRAAP mean?

CRAAP is an acronym for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose. Apply the CRAAP Test to evaluate your sources. When was the information published or posted?

Enough of This CRAAP

If you use crappy sources, you’ll end up with a crappy paper (and most likely a crappy grade). Apply the CRAAP Test to ensure you’re using credible sources for all of your assignments.

Conclusion

It is generally accepted that the current information aspect places an increasing burden on the information consumer. The lack of editorial control in a web environment, coupled with personalized search engine results and filter bubbles of disinformation on social media makes obvious the need for keepers to grow our guidance to teach and encourage lateral, fact-checking behaviors and dispositions.

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