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The CRAAP Test: The CRAAP Test

The CRAAP Test will help you evaluate websites quickly and easily.

The CRAAP Test

The C.R.A.A.P Test

Is this website Current?

Is this website Relevant?

What is this website's Authority?

Is this website Accurate?

What is this website's Purpose?

Use these questions and the ones below to help you evaluate websites. Many websites are not reliable sources of information for your assignments, and your tutors may mark you down for using them. You need to think carefully about the resources you use in your study.

Remember: A book, an ebook, or an article from one of the Library's databases is usually going to be more academic than a website. However, a website may be more up-to-date than a book or an article, especially if it wasn't published recently.

Currency

  • What date or year was the information published or posted?

If it doesn't have a date, it isn't reliable.

  • When was the information revised, or updated?

If you can't tell, it may be very old information.

  • Does the information seem old to you?

Your tutor may want you to use only newer information in your assignments.

  • Do all of the links on the website work?

Broken links can mean a website is very old and hasn't been updated.

Relevance

  • Does the information directly relate to your topic? Does it help answer your assignment question?

If the website isn't about what your assignment is about, you shouldn't use it.

  • Who was it written for? Can you tell who the author was talking to?

Sometimes an article is written only for a specific group of people, and may not be useful.

  • Is the information at the right level?

A website for children or one for high-level experts might not be good for your assignment

  • What other resources have you found? Can you find more academic information? Do you need to use this resource?

Just because you found it and it was interesting doesn't mean it should be used in your assignment.

Authority

  • Who is the author? The publisher? What company or organisation made the website?

If you can't tell who wrote the information, you shouldn't use it for your assignment.

  • Are the author, company, or organisation's credentials or organizational affiliations given?

How do you know the author is reliable? Are they an expert? Google and see!

  • Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?

One way to tell if a website is legitimate (real) is if there is contact information.

  • What is the URL (website address)?

The website address can help you figure out what country a website is from, and sometimes what kind of a website it is. New Zealand commercial websites will end with .co.nz, but educational websites will end with .ac.nz, and government websites with .govt.nz.

Accuracy

  • Where does the information come from? Is it supported by evidence?

Is the source of the information given? If it is scientific, do they mention studies or link to statistics? Be careful of information without any references. You don't know how accurate it is!

  • Why are they saying the information is true?

Think about why they are saying this. Do they want to convince you of something, or sell you something?

  • Has the information been reviewed?

Academic information usually has to be peer-reviewd - checked by experts - before it is published in academic journals. Online information doesn't have to be checked by anyone!

  • Can you verify (check) the information the information anywhere else?

If you check other websites (or books and academic articles), is there similar information? Make sure the information is

  • Does the language or tone seem biased and free of emotion?

Biased information can be very enthusiastic, excited, or angry. Academic and professional information is more serious and balanced.

  • Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors (word and text mistakes)? Does the website look professional?

If there are mistakes or the website just doesn't look very nice, it might not be a reliable website for information.

Purpose

  • What is the purpose of the information? Do the authors make their reason for publishing the information clear?

Why did someone put this information on a website? What are they trying to do by publishing it online? They may be trying to convince you of something or sell you something, not give you accurate, reliable information. A commercial website for a product is likely to have biased information. A not-for-profit organisation or a government department may be more unbiased.

  • Is the information fact? Opinion? Propaganda?

Look carefully at the information. See if it is what someone thinks, or what is factually true. Factually true information is information you can verify (check) in other sources. Opinions and propaganda may not be good for your assignment.

  • Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?

Does the information only present one side of an argument, controversy, or subject? Even if you agree with the information, it may not be good information to use for your study.

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Does the website you want to use pass the CRAAP Test?

If you're still not sure, contact your tutor or email your Subject Librarian.