Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and
Purpose (C.R.A.A.P) Test
Evaluating Information Quality
C.R.A.A.P TEST - Purpose
Assess the reliability and credibility of
Information
Its source
What is C.R.A.A. P test?
CURRENCY RELEVANCE AUTHORITY ACCURACY PURPOSE
CHECK THE CHECK THE CHECK THE CHECK THE CHECK THE
TIMELINESS OF IMPORTANCE OF SOURCE OF THE RELIABILITY, REASON THE
THE INFORMATION THE INFORMATION INFORMATION TRUTHFULNESS, INFORMATION
FOR YOUR TOPIC AND EXIST
CORRECTNESS OF
THE CONTENT
• Publication: When
the information
was published or
posted.
• Updates: Whether
the information is
Currency Check: updated or revised.
• Timeliness: If the
information is
current, recent
enough, or
outdated for your
topic.
• Relatable: Whether the
information is related to
the topic you have chosen
to write.
• Target Audience: Is your
audience children, public
or scholars? Whether the
Relevance Check: information is appropriate
for the audience.
• Scope: If the writer has
examined a variety of
credible sources to
determine the most
suitable information for
the topic and to what
extent the topic is covered.
• Source: Information
about the author and
publisher/sponsor.
• Credentials: Whether
the author has reputable
credentials, or
Authority Check: organizational
affiliations, and
qualifications to write on
the topic.
• Attributions: if there is
contact information for
the author(s) and/or
publisher.
• Evidence: Whether the
information is supported
by credible evidence.
• Tone: Whether it is
Accuracy Check: emotional, objective, or
professional.
• Correctness: Whether it
has spelling, grammar, or
other typographical
errors.
• Objective: What is the
purpose of the
information?
• Clarity: Whether the
Purpose Check: authors/sponsors make
their intentions or
purpose clear.
• Authenticity: Whether
the information is a fact,
opinion, or propaganda.
Example
Imagine researching the impact of social media on mental health.
Currency: Currency:
2023 Research Study from a reputed
University
> 2010 blog post or Wikipedia article
Relevance: Relevance:
Articles directly analyzing social media's
mental health effects
> General pieces on social media trends
Authority:
Authority:
Study led by a team of psychologists
> Opinion piece by an influencer
Accuracy:
Look for citations to credible sources and peer-reviewed research to ensure the
information is reliable.
Purpose:
Is the study objective and unbiased, or does it aim to promote a specific platform or
agenda?
REMEMBER: When evaluating
credibility, no single factor can be
sufficient. Examine all aspects of
the source before using it in your
assignments or papers.
Useful
Resources
Florida A&M University Libraries. (2021, May
References Benedictine university library. (n.d).
Evaluating sources: The CRAAP test.
https://researchguides.ben.edu/sour
28). Website research: CRAAP test.
https://library.famu.edu/c.php?g=640451&p=
4485036
ce-evaluation
PVCC Buxton library. (2021, December 21).
CRAAP.
https://paradisevalley.libguides.com/informat
ion_literacy/evaluate_sources
OkStateLibrary. (2016, July 10). Inform your
thinking: Episode 2 - who do you trust and
why? [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMe50B
Db4M0&t=18s
