Evaluating Sources with the CRAAP Test

To succeed in assignments or research, it's crucial to use quality information from books, journal articles, or websites. The CRAAP test is a set of criteria to critically evaluate the credibility and quality of a source.

CRAAP Test Criteria

1. Currency

• Publication Date: Check when the information was published, updated, or revised.
• Relevance of Date: Determine if the information is outdated for the topic at hand.

2. Relevance

• Depth of Information: Assess whether the information provides a superficial treatment or a detailed analysis.
• Relation to Topic: Ensure the information is related and relevant to your topic.
• Appropriate Readership Level: Confirm that the content is neither too simple nor too advanced.

3. Authority

• Author Credentials: Identify who the authors or editors are and their credentials.
• Source Type: Check whether books are published by scholarly or popular presses, or are self-published.
• Peer Review: For journals, verify if articles are peer-reviewed, reflecting approval by experts in the field.

4. Accuracy

• Consistency with Understanding: Ensure the source aligns with your understanding of the topic.
• Verifiability: Confirm claims with other sources and avoid relying on a single source.
• Citations: Look for a bibliography or works cited list to gauge the depth of the author's knowledge.

5. Purpose

• Stated Purpose: Identify the purpose of the information.
• Objectivity: Assess whether the information is presented objectively or if there is a bias.
• Multiple Perspectives: Recognize that multiple perspectives may exist on any given issue.

Conclusion

Using the CRAAP test criteria—Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose—will help you ensure you are using quality sources. For further assistance in evaluating sources, visit a Research Help Desk.