The CRAAP Test is a basic set of evaluation criteria and questions that you can apply to any source that you find. CRAAP is an acronym for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose. The test also helps consumers of information to identify the rhetorical situations (audience, author, purpose, medium, context, and content) of the media that they consume. As you search for the best resources for exploring your research topics, these criteria may help you to sort for the best possible materials.
Currency: the timeliness of the information.
- When was the information published or posted?
- Has the information been revised or updated?
- Is the information current or outdated for your topic?
- Are the links still functional and up to date?
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?
- Does the format fit your needs?
Authority: the source of the information.
- Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
- Are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given? If so, what are they?
- What are the author's qualifications to write on the topic?
- Is there contact information, such as a publisher or e-mail address?
- Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?
- examples:
- .com (commercial), .edu (educational), .gov (U.S. government)
- .org (nonprofit organization), or
- .net (network)
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 peer-reviewed or refereed?
- Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
- Does the language or tone seem biased and free of emotion?
- Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors?
Purpose: the reason the information exists.
- What is the purpose of the information? to inform? teach? sell? entertain? persuade?
- Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
- Is the information fact? opinion? propaganda?
- Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
- Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?
The CRAAP Test was developed by Sarah Blakeslee and other librarians at California State University. Read more via:
Blakeslee, Sarah. "The CRAAP Test." LOEX Quarterly, vol. 31, no. 3, 2004, https://commons.emich.edu/loexquarterly/vol31/iss3/4.