Quickly Evaluating Sources

Need a quick way to evaluate a source?  Take a look at its “craap”!

The C.R.A.A.P. method is a way to determine the validity and relevance of a source. C.R.A.A.P. stands for

• C: Currency. When was the information published?
• R: Relevance. How relevant to your goals is the information?
• A: Authority. How well does the author of the information know the information?
• A: Accuracy. How reliable is the information?
• P: Purpose. Why does this information exist in this way?

If the source you’re looking at is fairly current, relevant, and accurate, it’s probably a good source to use. Depending on the aim of your paper, you’ll be looking for an authority and purpose that are unbiased and informative.

^{Credit: “How Library Stuff Works: How to Evaluate Resources (the CRAAP Test)” by McMaster Libraries License: All Rights Reserved. License Terms: Standard YouTube License.}