The
test
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?
- Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining that this is the one you will use?
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 this topic?
- Is the source information provided? Are the sources credible?
- Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?
Accuracy - the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content
- Where does the information come from?
- Is the information supported by evidence
- Does the tone seem unbiased and free from emotion?
- Are there spelling, grammar, or typographical errors?
Purpose - the reason the information exists
- What is the purpose - to inform, teach, sell, entertain, or persuade?
- Do the authors / sponsors make their intentions clear?
- Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
- Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, or personal biases?
Meriam Library. Evaluating Information – Applying the CRAAP Test, California State University, Chico, 17 Sept. 2010, www.csuchico.edu/lins/handouts/eval_websites.pdf.