Evaluating Sources with the CRAAP Test

CRAAP is an acronym for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose. Use the CRAAP Test to estimate your sources.

The CRAAP Test is often used in FLITE to evaluate sources. Use it to help determine legitimate sources. Due to the vast number of sources existing online, it can be difficult to tell whether these sources are trustworthy to use as tools for research.

It can be attractive to use any reference in your paper that seems to agree with your thesis but realize that not all data is good information, individually in an online environment.

C- Currency

This is the primary step to understand if certain information is credible. Currency ensures the information is the most recent. Educators and students got to ask some important inquiries to know the information’s currency and if it's been updated or revised recently.

R – Relevance

The relevance of the knowledge has an impression on the whole research. The student can understand the intended audience of the info when evaluating the source in terms of significance. The relevance of the knowledge is important to assist the scholar to know what they're trying to find within the available vast number of topics.

A – Authority

This will help the scholar to understand who the author of a specific source is. Students got to know the author’s affiliation and education level when evaluating a selected source. There should be contact information of the author for confirmation in any source.

A – Accuracy

Authority deals with the trustworthiness of the source. Make sure the accuracy of the source connects back to the first content. You should see evidence supporting the knowledge from a specific source for it to be credible. The source must be mentioned and verified from public knowledge.

P – Purpose

This helps the scholar know the author’s intention to work out whether the knowledge is true for the research. The student must consider some aspects to understand if the knowledge is an opinion, facts, propaganda, personal, political, or religious bias. Knowing the aim of the knowledge makes it easier to source information.

Solve the CRAAP test for Purpose -

Questions related to CRAAP -

Currency: The timeliness of the information

When was the information published or posted?

Has the information been revised or updated?

Does your topic require current information, or will older sources work as well?

Are the links functional?

Relevance: The importance of the information for your needs.

Does the information compare to your topic or answer your question?

Who is the expected audience?

Is the information at a suitable level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?

Have you observed a variety of experts before deciding this is one you will use?

Would you be comfortable ordering this source in your research paper?

Authority: The source of the information

Who is the author/journalist/source/sponsor?

What are the author's credentials or organizational connections?

Is the author suited to write on the topic?

Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?

Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?

Purpose: The reason the information exists

What is the purpose of the information?

Is it to inform, educate, sell, entertain or convince?

Do the authors/supporters make their intentions or purpose clear?

Is the information fact, opinion, or propaganda?

Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?

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

Conclusion

It is generally admitted that the current information features place an increased responsibility on the information user. The absence of editorial authority in a web environment, joined with personalized search engine results and filter bubbles of disinformation on social media make clear the need for owners to grow our guidance to teach and encourage lateral, fact-checking behaviors and dispositions.