Evaluating Websites

The CRAP Test

Evaluate Websites Using these Criteria -

Currency, Relevance, Authority and Purpose/Point of View

Currency

• How recent is the information?

• How recently was the site updated?

• Is it current enough for your topic?

Relevance

• Does the information add to or support your research?

• Does the site provide additional links that are also useful?

• Does the site provide more or less information than you need?

Authority

• Who is the author/creator?

• What are their credentials or connections to the subject?

• What institution are they affiliated with?

• Who is the publisher or sponsor?

Purpose/Point of View

• Is the information fact, opinion, a spoof or a commerical?

• It it biased?

• Are all sides of an issue represented?

(adapted from Rohrbough LibGuide, OSU)