Online Student Success Librarian
What is the CRAP Test?
Currency
- How recent is the information?
- How recently has the website been updated?
- Is it current enough for your topic?
Reliability
- What kind of information is included in the resource?
- Is content of the resource primarily opinion? Is is balanced?
- Does the creator provide references or sources for data or quotations?
Authority
- Who is the creator or author?
- What are the credentials? Can you find any information about the author's background?
- Who is the published or sponsor?
- Are they reputable?
- What is the publisher's interest (if any) in this information?
- Are there advertisements on the website? If so, are they cleared marked?
Purpose/Point of View
- Is this fact or opinion? Does the author list sources or cite references?
- Is it biased? Does the author seem to be trying to push an agenda or particular side?
- Is the creator/author trying to sell you something? If so, is it clearly stated?
Adapted with gratitude from Molly Beestrum.
More CRAP Resources
Additional Online Resources
- Evaluating Information – Applying the CRAAP TestPDF file, from the Meriam Library California State University, Chico.
Video
This video was created for Colorado Online by Stefanie Stephens.
The CRAP Test?
Steiner, Peter. "On the Internet, Nobody Knows You're a Dog." Cartoon. The New
Yorker 5 July 1993: n. pag. The New Yorker. Web. 10 Dec. 2014.
Looking for additional research information?
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