Answers

The CRAAP test is a well-known set of criteria that students can use to decide whether or not a source is appropriate to use in their academic work.

Sources that 'fail' in a number of the criteria should be avoided in academic work. eBooks and other resources in the library are likely to pass the CRAAP test consistently, while resources found via Google should be used with caution.

When deciding whether to use a source for academic work, you can apply the following criteria to help you judge its credibility. The CRAAP criteria are:

C(urrency): Questions to ask include: When was the source published? Is the information still up-to-date?

R(elevance): Questions to ask include: Is the information relevant to your assignment? Will it help you answer the question?

A(uthority): Questions to ask include: Who is the author? Are they well-known in the field? Do they have a strong research background on this topic?

A(ccuracy): Questions to ask include: Can the information be cross-checked with other sources? Does the source provide a list of references?

P(urpose): Questions to ask include: Why was this source created? Does it contain bias?

Watch this short video to get a better idea of how sources can be evaluated for credibility:

If you would like more help understanding how the CRAAP test can be applied to sources, book an academic skills appointment or email our team at AcademicSkills@arden.ac.uk