We can't trust everything we find on the Internet. But how do we determine which sites have the authority to be trusted and useful? You'll have to put a site through the C.R.A.A.P. test to make that assessment.
C.R.A.A.P. Test
For Evaluating Research Sources
Currency - Is the information recent enough for your topic?
Relevance - Does this information meet your research needs?
Authority - Who wrote, published or endorsed the information and should we trust them?
Accuracy - How reliable is the source’s content?
Purpose - What is the author’s intent?
C.R.A.A.P. Test
For Evaluating Research Sources
Currency - Is the information recent enough for your topic?
- When was it posted?
- Is that recent enough? Do you need news or history?
- Is it updated regularly?
- Are the links functional?
Relevance - Does this information meet your research needs?
- Does the information relate to your topic, or assist you in arguing for or against a
- Have you looked at a variety of sources and determined this is the best match?
- Is it an appropriate level?
- Is it in-depth enough to cover your research needs, but not beyond your comprehension?
- Who is the intended audience?
Authority - Who wrote, published or endorsed the information and should we trust them?
- What credentials or expertise does the author/publisher/source/sponsor have?
- Is the author qualified to write or speak on this topic?
- Is contact information given?
- Does the url extension provide any insight (i.e. .com, .gov, .edu and .org)?
Accuracy - How reliable is the source’s content?
- Is it peer reviewed, refereed or critiqued?
- Is the information supported by evidence with sources cited?
- Can the information be verified on another reliable source?
- Does it appear reliable, free of typos, spelling or grammar errors?
Purpose - What is the author’s intent?
- Is the author trying to sell me a product or an idea?
- Is it possible that this was created to satirize or entertain?
- Does the information and tone appear impartial and objective, or are there political,ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases that are evident?
- Does the presence of advertising suggest bias?
- Do the authors or sponsors make their purpose clear?