The CRAAP Test for evaluating materials. This is adapted from "Applying the CRAAP Test" by the Meriam Library at California State University, Chico.
Currency
- When was the information published or posted?
- Has the information been revised or updated?
- Does your topic require current information or will older sources work as well?
- Are the links functional?
Relevancy
- 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 too advanced for your needs)?
- 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?
Authority
- Who is the author, publisher, source, and/or sponsor?
- What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?
- Is the author qualified to write on this topic?
- Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?
- Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source? e.g. .edu is for educational institutions, whereas .gov is for governmental publications
- Are the links functional?
Accuracy
- 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 unbiased and free of emotion?
- Are there spelling, grammar, or typographical errors?
Purpose
- What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain, or persuade?
- Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
- Is the information fact, opinion, or propaganda?
- Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
- Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?