Is It CRAAP?
How can you verify that the information you found is helpful?
The CRAAP method guides you in evaluating your sources according to 5 different criteria: CURRENCY, RELEVANCY, AUTHORITY, ACCURACY, and PURPOSE. Outlined below are the criteria; these can guide you in evaluating the sources you find for your presentation.
Currency
- When was the information published or posted?
- Has the information been revised or updated?
- Is the information current or out-of-date for your topic?
Relevance
- 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?
- Would you be comfortable using this source within your research?
Authority
- Who is the author/publisher/sponsor?
- Are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given?
- What are those credentials or affiliations?
- What are the author's qualifications to write on the topic?
- Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?
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?
Purpose
- 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?