Skip to Main Content

Credible Resource Criteria: Evaluating Credible Resources Criteria

Evaluating Credible Resource Criteria

When you are considering which resources to use there are several criteria that you should check to verify that the resources or information are credible

The main points to take into consideration are is it from a reputable source, is it relevant, is it up to date, and is it at an appropriate level for your needs?

Criteria

The CRAAP Test was developed by Sarah Blakeslee of California State University as an easy to remember acronym that provides a set of criteria that can help you decide if a resource is credible.

  • C - Currency
  • R - Relevance
  • A - Authority
  • A - Accuracy
  • P - Purpose

References:
Sarah Blakeslee, (2004) “The CRAAP Test,” LOEX Quarterly 31, no. 3
Applying the CRAAP Test. California State University-Chico. accessed 28th June 2021

Currency

-  Currency: Timeliness of the information

  • When was the information or resource published or posted
  • Has the information been revised or updated
  • Is the information current or out of date?

Relevance

- Relevance: Importance of the information for your needs

  • How is the information related to your needs?
  • Who is the intended audience?
    • Is the information at an appropriate level for your needs?

Authority

- Authority: Source of the information

  • Who has produced the resource?
    • Is it a reputable organisation or expert in the field?
    • What are the author's qualifications, credentials or affiliations?
  • Are the information sources stated?
    • Can you verify the information?
    • Can you contact the organisation or author for verification?

Accuracy

- Accuracy: Reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content

  • Where does the information come from?
  • Is the information supported by evidence?
  • Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
  • Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
  • Does the language or tone seem biased and free of emotion

Purpose

  - Purpose: the reason the information exists

  • What is the purpose of the information? to inform? teach? sell? entertain? persuade?
    • Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
    • Are there disclosures of sponsorship or advertising
  • Is the information fact? opinion? propaganda?
    • Are opinions expressed balanced with facts?
  • Is the point of view objective and impartial?
    • Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?