Video
This video was created for CCCOnline 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.
What is the CRAP Test?
The CRAP Test, developed by Molly Beestrum, is a helpful tool to use when trying to decide if a website is a credible, valid source. The CRAP Test looks at four major areas: currency, reliability, authority and purpose. When determining whether a website is credible or not, evaluate it on those four areas. Here are a few suggestions to help you think through your evaluation process.
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.
Looking for additional research information?
Looking for more research help? Check out the CCCOnline Library Toolkit and Resource LibGuides:
- Academic Integrity ToolkitAcademic integrity and honesty have always been important components to being a successful college student. However, today's online world has magnified the importance of acting with integrity and honesty in the college classroom. We offer you helpful information on just what academic integrity is and why it's important as well as information on how to avoid academic dishonesty and the pitfalls of plagiarism.
- APA ToolkitLooking for APA (American Psychological Association) guides? Look no further than CCCOnline's Toolkit here!
- CCCOnline Library ResourcesThis guide has been created to help you walk through some of the most commonly-asked research and library questions.
- Citation ToolkitLearn the nitty gritty details of citation with our step-by-step tutorial.
- Evaluating Sources ToolkitAfter you've located your sources, how can you tell which sources should be used in a given research paper or project? Find out in the CCCOnline Librarian's Evaluating Sources Toolkit.
- MLA ToolkitCCCOnline's one-stop for all things Modern Language Association (MLA)
- Online Reference ToolkitFrom the CCCOnline Library.
- Reading Scholarly Articles ToolkitDiscover strategies for reading and unpacking scholarly articles in your research.
- Research ToolkitOn this page, you'll find links to information on how to become more information literate - you'll become familiar with knowing when you need information, how to find that information and what to do with the information once you've found it. Take some time to browse though the tabs above.
- Writing ToolkitHere you'll find links to information on how to focus your topic, organize your paper, figure out the different types of essays, how to write more effective sentences and you'll find some grammar help as well.