C.R.A.A.P.

Test Worksheet

The CRAAP Test* is a list of questions to help you evaluate the information you find. Select a source appropriate to
your research topic. Use that source to answer the questions below to determine if it is appropriate to use.

Provide an MLA or APA citation for your source here:

Parshley, L., 2018. The Costs and Benefits of Hydropower. [online] Smithsonian Magazine. Available at:
<https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/costs-and-benefits-hydropower-180967691/>
[Accessed 3 March 2021].

What type of source is it? □ Scholarly Article □ Magazine □ Newspaper □ Book □ Website

1. Currency: the timeliness of the information

When was the information published or posted? JANUARY 5, 2018

Is it recent enough to be relevant to your thesis? Why □Yes □No

or why not? Explain: it talks about the dams and the cost they
come with

* Websites Only: How recently has the website been Since 2018
updated?

 2. Relevance: the importance of the information for your needs

Does the information relate to your topic or answer □Yes □No
your question? Explain: it talks about dams being built and the
problems hydroelectricity can cause

Is the information at an appropriate level? □Yes □No

Explain: it talks about money and why is so expensive

Would you be comfortable using this source for a □Yes □No

research paper? Explain: it talks about what we learned in class and it
goes in deeper detail

 
3. Authority: the source of the information
Who is the creator or author?
Lois Parshley
 What are the author’s credentials or organizational
affiliations? She is a journalist and photographer, and currently a
Knight-Wallace Fellow

What are the author’s qualifications to write on this

topic? She writes for multiple publications

*Websites Only: does the URL reveal anything about .com ordinary
the author or source? (examples: .com, .edu, .gov,
.org, .net)

4. Accuracy: the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content

Is the information supported by evidence? □Yes □No
Explain: it gives examples and talks about information
from before it was written

Are there citations or a bibliography included? □Yes □No

Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical □Yes □No

errors?
*Websites Only: Do all the links work? □Yes □No

5.  Purpose: the reason the information exists

Do the creator(s) make their intentions or purpose □Yes □No
clear?

Does the point of view appear objective and impartial? □Yes □No
Explain: impartial she is not biased

Are there any political, ideological, cultural, religious, □Yes □No

or personal bias?

Is the creator/author trying to sell you something? □Yes □No

*The CRAAP Test was developed by California State University, Chico