CRAAP Method

The CRAAP method is a tool used to help evaluate the credibility of online sources. It helps us to analyze sources according to their currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, and purpose (Milner Library, 2025).

The CRAAP method consists of five components: currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, and purpose.

Currency- This component encourages us to question when a source was published or produced. The date a source was created can help us determine how current the information may be (EBSCO, 2025). Has the information been revised or updated, and are the links functional? (Mackaben, K., 2025)

Relevance - This component assesses whether a source is suitable for our given topic. We need to question whether the source would effectively support our topic and purpose (EBSCO, 2025). Is the information at an appropriate level, and does the information answer your questions about your topic? (Mackaben, K., 2025). 

Authority - Assessing the authority of a source involves determining whether the author or organization responsible for its creation has credible expertise (EBSCO, 2025). Are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations provided, and does the URL reveal any information about the author or source? (Mackaben, K., 2025).

Accuracy - This component refers to evaluating how accurately the information is presented in the source. To do this, it means evaluating the references the source cites, the information the author portrayed, spelling and grammatical errors, and whether the source contains any biased language (EBSCO, 2025). Is the information supported by evidence, and where did it come from? (Macakeben, K., 2025). 

Purpose- The final component refers to evaluating the purpose of the source. Why was the source written? What was the author's purpose? And is the information based on fact or opinion? (EBSCO, 2025). Does the point of view appear objective or impartial, and is the author's intention clear? (Mackeben, K., 2025).