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CRAAP Test: Questions You Should Ask About Every Source
Currency
- What is the publication/creation date?
- Does this time period meet your information need?
- When was the last update?
- Are all the links up-to-date ( for web resources)?
Relevance
- Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
- Who is the intended audience?
- Is the information at an appropriate level for your needs (not too elementary or advanced)?
- Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining if this is the one you will use?
- Would you be comfortable citing this source in your research paper?
Authority
- Who is the author? What are her/his credentials?
- Has the author been cited in other sources?
- Who is publishing this information (individual, non-profit organization, commercial entity)?
Accuracy
- Do other sources contain the same information?
- Is evidence given to support the information?
- Are other sources cited?
- Is the site edited, or does it contain typographical errors (for web resources)?
Point of View (Bias)
- Does the source present the information from a particular bias or single viewpoint?
- Does the source contain assumptions not backed by research?
- Does the sponsoring organization or site have a stake in how information is presented?
- Does the information contain advertising?