Currency : the timeliness of the information
- If relevant, when was the information gathered?
- When was it posted?
- When was it last revised?
- Are links functional and up-to-date?
- Is there evidence of newly added information or links?
Relevance
: the uniqueness of the content and its importance for your needs.
- What is the depth and breadth of the information presented?
- Is the information unique?
- Is it available elsewhere, in print or electronic format?
- Could you find the same or better information in another source?
- Who is the intended audience? Is this easily determined?
- Does the site provide the information you need? Your overall assessment is important. Would you be comfortable using this source for a research paper?
Authority : the source of the information
- Who is the author/creator/sponsor?
- Are author's credentials listed?
- Is the author a teacher or student of the topic? Does the author have a reputation?
- Is there contact information, such as an e-mail address? Has the author published works in traditional formats?
- Is the author affiliated with an organization? Does this organization appear to support or sponsor the page?
Accuracy: the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the information
- Where does the information come from?
- Are the original sources of information listed?
- Can you verify any of the information in independent sources or from your own knowledge?
- Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
- Does the language or tone seem biased?
- Are there spelling, grammar, or other typos?
Purpose : the presence of bias or prejudice
- Are possible biases clearly stated?
- Is advertising content vs. informational content easily distinguishable?
- Are editorials clearly labeled?
- Is the purpose of the page stated?
- Is the purpose to: inform? teach? entertain? enlighten? sell? persuade?
Source - Meriam Library at California State University, Chico: //www.csuchico.edu/lins/handouts/eval_websites.pdf
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CRAAP is an acronym for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose. Use the CRAAP Test to evaluate your sources.
Currency: the timeliness of the information
- 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- Is the information current or out-of date for your topic?
- Are the links functional?
Relevance: the importance of the information for your needs
- 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 for a research paper?
Authority: the source of the information
- Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
- Are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given?
- What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given?
- What are the author's qualifications to write on the topic?
- Is there contact information, such as a publisher or e-mail address?
- Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?
- examples:
- .com [commercial], .edu [educational], .gov [U.S. government]
- .org [nonprofit organization], or
- .net [network]
- examples:
Accuracy: the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content
- 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 biased and free of emotion?
- Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors?
Purpose: the reason the information exists
- 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?