Evaluating Information Applying the CRAAP Test – When you search for information online, 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 you determine the quality and credibility of the source. Currency: Relevance: The timeliness of the information. The importance of the information for your needs. When was the information published Does the information relate to your or posted? and/or answer some part of Is the information the source your question? references up-to-date? Is the coverage appropriate for the Has the information been revised or topic, too broad, or too specific? updated? Who is the intended audience? If the resource is on the web, are the Have you looked at a variety of links functional? sources before determining this is one you will use? Would you be comfortable citing this source in your research paper or in an argument? Authority: Accuracy: The source of the information. The reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content. Who is the author or publisher of the information? What is their Where does the information come background, education, and/or from? training? Are they qualified to write Is the information supported by on the topic? relevant evidence or social/scientific Is there contact information, such as facts? a publisher or email address? Has the information been reviewed If the resource is on the web, does by an editor or the author’s the URL reveal anything the Can you verify any of the author or source? information in another source? Purpose: How do the facts and evidence in The reason the information exists. this source compare to other sources? What is the purpose of the Does the source reflect one information? Is it to inform, teach, viewpoint or a variety of sell, entertain, or persuade? perspectives? Are there specific Do the authors/sponsors make perspectives that aren’t included? intentions or purpose clear? Does the author document their Who is the intended audience? Does sources? that present any concerns the Does the language or tone seem validity of the source’s claims? unbiased and free of emotion? Is the information presented as facts, Are there spelling, grammar, or opinions, or propaganda? typographical errors? Is the information objective or does it appeal to emotions and/or biases?
Evaluating Information – Applying the CRAAP Test When you search for information online, 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 you determine the quality and credibility of the source. Currency: The timeliness of the information. When was the information published or posted? Is the information the source references up-to-date? Has the information been revised or updated? If the resource is on the web, are the links functional? Relevance: The importance of the information for your needs. Does the information relate to your and/or answer some part of your question? Is the coverage appropriate for the topic, too broad, or too specific? Who is the intended audience? 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 or in an argument? Authority: The source of the information. Who is the author or publisher of the information? What is their background, education, and/or training? Are they qualified to write on the topic? Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address? If the resource is on the web, does the URL reveal anything the author or source? Accuracy: The reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content. Where does the information come from? Is the information supported by relevant evidence or social/scientific facts? Has the information been reviewed by an editor or the author’s Can you verify any of the information in another source? How do the facts and evidence in this source compare to other sources? Does the source reflect one viewpoint or a variety of perspectives? Are there specific perspectives that aren’t included? Does the author document their sources? 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 intentions or purpose clear? Who is the intended audience? Does that present any concerns the validity of the source’s claims? Is the information presented as facts, opinions, or propaganda? Is the information objective or does it appeal to emotions and/or biases?
craap_test.docx