How can you be sure you have the right kind of information to make good decisions? Use The CRAAP Test to evaluate your sources so you can be certain about what you think you know.
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- Is the information current or out of date?
Relevance – The importance of the information for your needs
- Does the information relate specifically to your issue 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)?
- Is the information comprehensive or does it relate to just one or two aspects?
- Is the terminology and language used easy to understand?
Authority – The source of the information
- Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
- Does the source provide any information that leads you to believe the author is credible or an expert on the topic?
- What do you know about the author’s background (experience, education, knowledge)?
- Does the author provide citations? Do you think they are reputable and credible?
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 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?
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