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Evaluating Online Sources

Learn how to evaluate whether a website and its contents are reliable.

The CRAAP Test

What is the CRAAP Test?

The CRAAP Method is a list of questions to ask yourself when evaluating a website or other online information. 

 

The CRAAP Test stands for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose

 

C: Currency

Currency: How recent is the information?

  • When was the information published or posted? Has it been updated?
  • Are the links still functional?
  • Does your topic require current information, or will older sources work as well?

R: Relevance

Relevance: How well does the information meet your research needs?

  • Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
  • Who is the intended audience?
  • How does this source compare to other sources you may have found on the topic?

A: Authority

Authority: Who is the source of the information?

  • Who is the author, publisher, or sponsor?
  • What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?
  • Is the author qualified to write on the topic? Are they an expert or knowledgeable in their field?

A: Accuracy

Accuracy: How truthful and reliable is the information?

  • Where does the information come from?
  • Is the information supported by evidence?
  • Has the information been peer-reviewed or fact-checked?
  • Can you verify any of the information in one or more external sources? 

P: Purpose

Purpose: Why does the information exist?

  • What is the purpose of the information? Is the author trying to inform, teach, sell, entertain, or persuade you?
  • Does the information use charged or outrageous language intended to rile up your emotions?
  • What is the author's point of view? Do they have strong political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases? 

The CRAAP Test is an evaluation strategy developed by librarians at CSU Chico to help determine whether online content can be trusted as credible. All CRAAP information on this page is adapted from Meriam Library's CRAAP Test with a CC BY 4.0 license, with the exception of the CRAAP infographic, which was created by University of Toronto.