Not all information is reliable. Use the CRAAP test to evaluate sources.
The CRAAP Test
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- Is the information current or out-of-date for your topic?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?
Authority
- Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
- What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?
- Is there contact information?
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?
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, or propaganda?
- Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?