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The internet brings a wealth of information right to our fingertips, but it's not all reliable. How can we tell if the information we're reading is trustworthy, accurate and credible? This section will help you evaluate online resources to make sure you're only using the best information for your research.

Evaluating Online Resources

How can you tell if something you found on the internet is reliable? Take the CRAAP Test!

Learn more about the test in our handy video introduction.




The CRAAP Test

Evaluating Online Resources

The CRAAP test helps you evaluate the information you find online to determine if it is useful and trustworthy. Download our pdf version of the CRAAP Test or check out the sections below for more information.

Currency

Currency

  • When was the information published?
  • Has it been updated?
  • Does your topic require current information?
  • Are the links working?

Relevancy

Relevancy

  • Does it relate to your topic or answer your question?
  • Who is the intended audience?
  • How in-depth is the material?
  • Have you looked at a variety of sources besides this?

Authority

Authority

  • Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
  • What are their credentials?
  • Are they qualified to write on this topic?
  • Is there contact information?
  • Does the URL tell you anything? (.edu .gov .com .org)

Accuracy

Accuracy

  • Where does the information come from?
  • Has it been reviewed or refereed?
  • Can you verify the information with another source?
  • Does the language and tone seem unbiased?
  • Is it free from grammatical and spelling errors?

Purpose

Purpose

  • What is the purpose of the information?
  • To inform/teach/sell/entertain/persuade?
  • Is there advertising or sponsored content?
  • Is the information fact, opinion or propaganda?
  • Is there a political, ideological, cultural, institutional or personal bias?