Research Guides: Getting Started with Research at Shapiro Library: The CRAAPO Method

Evaluating Sources Using CRAAPO Test Video

In the short video below, you’ll learn how to evaluate sources effectively using the CRAAPO Test—Currency, Relevancy, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose, and Objectivity—to ensure your research is based on credible and suitable information.

Evaluating Sources Using CRAAPO Test Transcript This link opens in a new window

The C.R.A.A.P. Test was created by Sarah Blakeslee (University of California at Chico, Meriam Library). This content was based on her original text with some modifications. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

What is C.R.A.A.P.O.?

C.R.A.A.P.O. is an acronym for the primary criteria you want to use when evaluating sources. It stands for:

Use the tabs on this box for more information about each criteria. Keep in mind that most of these criteria apply to evaluating websites as well, but websites may have some additional criteria to consider such as domain and functionality. Visit the What About Websites? page for more details.

Check out the Source Evaluation Rubric for a step-by-step evaluation tool.

The C.R.A.A.P. Test was created by Sarah Blakeslee (University of California at Chico, Meriam Library). With her permission, this content was based off her original text This link opens in a new window with some modification.

C.R.A.A.P.O. Term Definitions

Term Definitions
Term	Definition
Currency	When was the information created or last updated? Date should be prominently displayed. For electronic sources -- are links functional on site?*
Relevancy	Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question? Who is the intended audience? Is the information at an appropriate level (not too simple/not too advanced)? 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 project?
Authority	Who is the author? Is the author the original creator of the information? Are the author's occupation, education, or other credentials listed? Who are the author’s organizational affiliations? For websites -- what does the URL reveal about the author or source, i.e. .com, .org, .edu, .gov?*
Accuracy	Is the information verifiable? Is it accurate? Are their resources documented? What does this source offer compared to other resources? Are there spelling, grammar, or typographical errors? Is the language or tone unbiased and free of emotion? Can you verify the information in another source? Is the information crowd sourced or vulnerable to changes by other authors, i.e. Wikipedia or other public wiki?*
Purpose	What appears to be the purpose of the information -- to inform, teach, sell, entertain, public services, or persuade? Is the information biased? Are there any advertisements? Why is the author/creator providing this information?
Objectivity	What institution (company, organization, government, university, etc.) supports this information? Does the institution appear to exercise quality control over the information appearing under its name? Does the author's affiliation with this particular institution appear to bias the information? Is there advertising and does it affect the content and message of the source?

SIFT vs CRAAPO

The CRAAPO test and SIFT method are two helpful tools for deciding if a source is credible. They can help you determine if the source is a good fit for your research assignment.

The CRAAPO test is a checklist of things that should be looked for in a credible source. It is often used to evaluate scholarly or academic sources found within and outside of the library. CRAAPO is good for evaluating a specific source, like a research journal article or a document from a government website.

The SIFT method emphasizes thoughtful investigation of biases and contextualizing sources to make a determination. This method is best used for popular, non-academic websites and other Internet/WWW sources (like blogs, social media, etc.). SIFT is good for evaluating a broader range of information sources.

These evaluation techniques are similar, overlapping at several points, but they also have areas where there is a distinctly different focus. The chart below compares the two methods.

CRAPPO and SIFT
CRAAPO: Currency	SIFT: Stop and reflect
When was the information created or last updated? Date should be prominently displayed. For electronic sources -- are the links all working or are some broken?	Do you know the website or source of information? What is the reputation of both the claim and the website? What grabs you about this content? Is it thoughtful or emotive? Reflect on your purpose from time to time; are you still on track or going down a rabbit hole?
CRAAPO: Relevancy	SIFT: Investigate the source
Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question? Who is the intended audience? Is the information at an appropriate level (not too simple/not too advanced)? Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining if this is one you will use? Is this source relevant or helpful to your purpose?	Who is making the claim? What do you know about them and their reputation? What expertise does the source claim to have? What is the agenda (hidden, obvious, muddled?) and self-interest of the source? What’s in it for them? Lateral Reading – don't just read what the site says, open new tabs and verify from other sources What do you already know about the website this article comes from? It's a reliable, trusted news source-go ahead and read the article. Don't know? Keep sifting... Who wrote it? Would you consider them an authority on the topic? Yes? Go ahead and read the article! No? Seek out another source.
CRAAPO: Authority	SIFT: Find other coverage as confirmation
Who is the author? Is the author the original creator of the information? Are the author's occupation, education, or other credentials listed? Who are the author’s organizational affiliations? For websites -- what does the URL reveal about the author or source, i.e. .com, .org, .edu, .gov, .net, etc.	Is there agreement among like-minded sources? If the content is controversial, is there an ongoing debate with clear viewpoints and evidence presented? Continue Lateral Reading to verify information. Consider using fact checking sites such as FactCheck.org This link opens in a new window, Snopes.com This link opens in a new window, or PolitiFact This link opens in a new window Are there other articles/sources that support and affirm the information in this article/source? Yes! Bookmark them all-you will need them later. No? Seek out a different article.
CRAAPO: Accuracy	SIFT: Trace claims
Is the information verifiable? Is it accurate? Are their resources documented? What does this source offer when compared to other resources? Are there spelling, grammar, or typographical errors? Is the language or tone unbiased and free of emotion? Can you verify the information in another source? Is the information crowd-sourced or easily changed by unknown authors, i.e., Wikipedia or other public wikis?	Does the source refer to other sources for the claim being made? Can those sources be followed to verify the claim? Idea of tracing the source back to original content if possible. Does the claim acknowledge the contributions of others by credit or attribution? Is the information taken out of [its original?] context? Is the article, video, research, or image you're looking at original (not reposted)? No? Track down the original source (or sources) instead! Yes? Go ahead and read or watch the resource and gather information. Is what you're looking at the entire work, video, research study (not edited version)? No? Track down the original source (or sources) instead! Yes? Go ahead and read or watch the resource and gather information.
CRAAPO: Purpose
What appears to be the purpose of the information -- to inform, teach, sell, entertain, public services, or persuade? Is the information biased? Are there any advertisements? Why is the author/creator providing this information?
CRAAPO: Objectivity
What institution (company, organization, government, university, etc.) supports this information? Does the institution appear to exercise quality control over the information appearing under its name? Does the author's affiliation with this institution appear to bias the information? Is there advertising and does it affect the content and message of the source?

Use one or both CRAAPO and SIFT methods, or a combination of the steps from both to help you determine if the source is credible and supports your research topic. We want to stress that one method is not necessarily better than the other. They are different, and you will want to use your judgment as a researcher to determine the option that is best suited to your assignment.