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Summer Bridge 2019: Evaluating Sources

Evaluating Sources | Western University

Evaluating Sources Tutorial

Evaluating Sources Quiz

CRAAP Test - One Method for Evaluating Sources

The CRAAP test Sarah Blakeslee and her team of librarians at California State University, Chico. It is a method for evaluating sources based on 5 criteria:

  1. Currency 
  2. Relevance
  3. Accuracy 
  4. Authority
  5. Purpose

1. Currency

  • When was the information published or last updated?
  • Have more recent articles been published on your topic?
  • Does your topic change rapidly (Popular culture, technology)?

 

2. Relevancy

  • Does the source add something new to your knowledge of the topic?
  • Is the information too technical or simplified for you to use? 
  • Does the information meet the requirements of the assignment?

 

3. Authority

  • What are the Author's credentials?
  • Is the author affiliated with an educational institution or prominent organization?
  • Is the relationship between the author and the institution clear?
  • Can you find information about the author from the source?

 

4. Accuracy

  • Are there statements you know to be false? 
  • Is it free from errors - spelling, punctuation, or grammar?
  • Are there links to other reliable sources?

5. Purpose

  • Is there an obvious bias or prejudice?  
  • Are alternate points of view presented? 
  • Is the author's purpose to sell, persuade, entertain or sell?