The CRAAP Test is a list of questions designed to help you evaluate the nature and value of the information that you find. Use these as you read articles or other information sources.
Currency: the timeliness of information
When was the information published or posted?
Has the information been revised or updated?
Is the information current or out of date for your topic?
Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
Relevance: the importance of the information for your needs:
Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
Who is the intended audience?
Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?
Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?
Would you be comfortable citing this source in your research paper?
Authority: the source of the information
Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
Are the author's organizational affiliations given? If yes, are they appropriate? (Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?)
What are the author's qualifications to write about the topic?
Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?
Accuracy: the reliability, truthfulness, and validity of the content
Is the information supported by evidence?
Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
Can you verify any of the information in another source?
Does the language or tone seem unbiased/is it free of emotion?
Are there spelling or grammar errors, do links work?
Purpose: the reason the information exists
What is the purpose of the information?
Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
Ιs the information a fact, an opinion or propaganda?
Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?
The SMART Check is particularly helpful when evaluating news stories. Follow the steps below when reading a news source to determine if it’s believable/trustworthy.
Source: Who or what is the source?
Where does the story come from?
Is it a reputable news outlet?
If the source is unclear, be skeptical about the story.
Make sure it's a source you can trust - e.g. a newspaper with good fact checking.
Motive: Why do they say so?
Do they have a special interest or particular point of view that may cause them to slant information to suit their beliefs or causes?
Biased sources can be accurate, but you need to check them carefully.
Get all sides to a story.
Authority: Who wrote the Story?
What are the author's credentials?
Is the person reporting the story an eyewitness or is he/she interviewing an eyewitness? Remember eyewitnesses can be wrong.
Be wary of any source that is repeating hearsay and rumors.
Make sure it's a source you can trust - e.g. an expert on the subject, a journalist reporting for a news outlet with a code of ethics, etc.
Review: Go over the story carefully
Does it make sense?
Is it logically consistent?
Are there any notable errors in facts or conclusions?
Make a list of questionable facts. Develop questions about the story.
Two-source Test: Double check everything if possible
Talk to others or tune in to other newscasts to see if they are also reporting the same story.
Research the subject in journal articles and newspapers, by interviewing others, and search online.
Does your two-source test confirm or contradict the story?