"Mother" LibGuide

Evaluating Information: Applying the CRAAP Test

from Meriam Library, CSU at Chico

When you search for information, you're going to find lots of it . . . but is it good information? You will have to determine that for yourself, and the CRAAP Test can help. The CRAAP Test is a list of questions to help you evaluate the information you find. Different criteria will be more or less important depending on your situation or need.

Evaluation Criteria

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 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 citing this source in your research paper?

Authority: The source of the information.

• Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
• What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?
• Is the author qualified 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? examples: .com .edu .gov .org .net

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 referred?
• Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
• Does the language or tone seem unbiased and free of emotion?
• Are there spelling, grammar or typographical errors?

Purpose: The reason the information exists.

• What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain or persuade?
• Do the authors/sponsors 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?

The PDF files below provide different ways of evaluating websites. They are easy to use and can be handy for both teaching and learning. The CRAAP Test stands for current, reliable, authoriative, accurate, and purpose of information, and was developed by (and is used here with permission of) the Meriam Library at CSU Chico.

Below is an screenshot of a webpage with illustration of where you would look for information you need to cite the article on this webpage.

APA Format Example (click here for complete APA style guide)
Author, A. A. (Date Published). Title of article. Title of Website. Retrieved from http://xxxx

Phillips, T. (2008). Genetically modified organisms (GMOs): transgenic crops and recombinant DNA technology. Scitable. Retrieved from http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/genetically-modified-organisms-gmos-transgenic-crops-and-732

MLA Format Example (click here for complete MLA style guide)
Author. “Title of Page.” Title of Website, Publisher or sponsor, Date posted, URL.

Phillips, Theresa. “Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Transgenic Crops and Recombinant DNA Technology.” Scitable, Nature Education, 2008, www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/genetically-modified-organisms-gmos-transgenic-crops-and-732.

With the rash of disinformation and misinformation, a.k.a. "fake news" online, these are some sources that can help you get closer to the truth.

Additional fact checker sites for specialized topics:

For an in-depth discussion of methods of online fact-checking, see the free e-Book: "Web Literacy for Student Fact Checkers"