Use the CRAAPP test to evaluate and determine the credibility and reliability of a source:
| CURRENCY |
- The publication or updated date of the information.
- Does your assignment ask for current information?
|
| RELEVANCE |
- The importance of the information for your needs.
- Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
- Does your assignment require a certain type of information from a specific field of study?
|
| AUTHORITY |
- The creator (author, publisher, sponsor) of the information.
- Is the author an expert on the topic? Where did they gain their knowledge?
|
| ACCURACY |
- The accuracy of the information.
- Has the information been reviewed, edited, or fact-checked?
- Can you confirm any of the information in another source?
- Are there obvious spelling or grammar errors?
|
| PURPOSE |
- The reason why the information exists.
- Why was the information created? For example, to inform or educate? To persuade? To entertain? To sell you something?
- Does the creator of the information make their intentions or purpose clear?
- Is the information free of political, socioeconomic, religious, or personal biases?
|
| PRIVILEGE |
- Publishing rights have been granted to a single cultural perspective.
- Are there other types of knowledge (for example, oral traditions) that could provide a new perspective on the topic or question? Which ones?
- Are there barriers to access the information? For example, cost, technology, account registration?
|
Adapted from California State University, West Shore Community College, and Dawn Stahura
