TRAAP

Timeframe

• When was the information created, 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• Is the information current or out of date for your topic?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?

• Who is the intended audience?

• Is the information at an appropriate level (e.g. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?

• Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?

• Does it seem credible?

• Would you be comfortable using this source for a research paper?

Authority 

• Who is the creator and/or author and/or publisher and/or source and/or sponsor?

• Is there any information about the author's credentials or organizational affiliations? 

• Is the writer an expert on the subject? What are their qualifications? 

• Is there contact information, such as a publisher or e-mail address?

Accuracy 

• Where does the information come from?

• Are citations and references provided? 

• 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 objective and free of emotion?

• Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors?

• Why do you trust it?

Purpose

• What is the purpose of the information (e.g. to inform, teach, sell, entertain, persuade etc.)?

• Do the authors and/or sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?

• Is the information fact, opinion and/or propaganda?

• Is it objective or biased?

• Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases?