Evaluating Web Sources – The CRAAP Test
Not all sources on the Web are equally valuable or reliable. Determining the credibility of information
found on the Web is not always easy. Use the CRAAP Test to evaluate the website you want to use.
Currency:
Relevance:
Authority:
Accuracy:
Purpose:
The timeliness of the information.
The depth and importance of the information.
The source of the information.
The reliability of the information.
The possible bias present in the information.
CURRENCY: Websites can become old very quickly.

Is there a date of publication or last update?

When was the page created?

Do the links work?

Is the page maintained on a regular basis?

Is the information considered current for your
topic/research?
RELEVANCE: Does the information relate to your
topic or answer your question?
ACCURACY: There are no regulations, standards, or
systems in place to ensure that information on the web is
correct.

Is the information correct?

Can it be verified from other sources?

Is the information cited?

Are there spelling, grammatical, or
typographical errors?

Has the information been refereed?

Who is the intended audience and is the
information at an appropriate level (not too
basic or advanced) for your needs?

Does the site claim to be comprehensive and
how does it meet those claims?

Is this information meant to teach? Inform?
Persuade? Entertain?

Have you looked at a variety of sources
before determining this is one you will use?

Do the authors/sponsors make their
intentions or purpose clear?

Why is this site preferable to other resource
types or formats?

Is the information fact? Opinion?
Propaganda?

What other websites are linked to this one?

Is there advertising on the site? What is
being advertised?

Does the point of view appear objective and
impartial?

Are there political, ideological, cultural,
religious, institutional, or personal biases?
AUTHORITY: Anyone has the ability to publish
information on the internet. This does not mean they are
qualified experts in the field.

Who is the author of the page?

What are their credentials?

What institution are they affiliated with?

Is that producing institution reputable?

Is there an email address or other contact
information?
PURPOSE: It should be clear why the information on the
website is being made available.

What does the domain name tell you about
the source?
.ca - Canadian-based website
.gov - American government
.edu - American educational institution
.org - Organizations or special interest groups,
usually non-profit
.com, .net, .biz - companies, pretty much
everything else
(Information provided by Queen’s Library as
adapted from CSU-Chico, Meriam Library
www.csuchico.edu/lins/handouts/evalsites.html)