Evaluating Information with The CRAAP Test

Is your Information Reliable and Accurate? :  Use the CRAAP Test to Evaluate Information Sources

From fake news stories to predatory publishers, how do you know the info you found on the web is the real thing?  We all know that anyone can publish on the web;  but how do you know it’s reliable and accurate?   When you’re making health care decisions, this becomes even more important. 

Your Librarians have developed a CRAAP Detector to help you evaluate information and its sources.

Currency - The timeliness of the information

• When was the information published or posted?
• Has the information been revised or updated?
• Is the information current or out-of date for your topic?
• If the source is a webpage are the links functional?

Relevance - The usefulness 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?
• Can it help you find other information related to your topic?
• Would you be comfortable using this source for a research paper? Or for Patient Care?

Authority - The source of the information

• Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
• Are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given?
• What are the author's qualifications to write on the topic?
• Is there contact information, such as a publisher or e-mail address?
• If the source is a webpage does the URL reveal anything about the author or source? examples: .com .edu .gov .org .net

Accuracy - The correctness and reliability of the information

• Where does the information come from?
• Is the information supported by evidence?
• Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
• 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 other typographical errors?

Purpose - The reason for the information

• Is the author free from a conflict of interest that would bias what she or he has to say? (i.e. they work for the company on which they are reporting; they have stock in the product they are testing, etc.)
• Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
• Is the information fact? opinion? propaganda?
• Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
• Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?
• Are they selling something?

For more info, please see the following Search Tips and LibGuides Pages :

          Evaluating Sources                              Evidence-Based Practice

Contact Your Ascension Wisconsin Librarians for questions, comments, or additional help :

Michele Matucheski        Mary Pat Gage         Elissa Kinzelman-Vesely      Kellee Selden