When using the CRAAP test, you need to evaluate all of the criteria
C - Currency
R - Relevance
A - Authority
A - Accuracy
P - Purpose
For example:
Web information that's current is not very useful if it isn't accurate.
CSW100 - Evaluating Web Information
Because anyone can put information up on the web, the quality of web information varies greatly
Some information on the web is truly excellent while other info on the web is not
Often you are the only person who sees the information you find on the web
Consequently, you need to make the decision whether the information you find is good, high quality, and usable for your college coursework.
One method for evaluating web information is by using the CRAAP test. CRAAP stand for:
C - Currency
R - Relevance
A - Authority
A - Accuracy
P - Purpose
Use these five criteria to determine the usability of the web information you have located.
Let's look at each part of this evaluation tool.
Currency
- Is the information you located new enough for your needs?
- Is the information up-to-date?
- When was the information revised or updated?
- The "newness" of the information is relative:
- If you had an illness and needed treatment information, you would likely want the most recent medical info available
- If you needed information about the American Revolutionary War for a term paper, info that was somewhat older would likely still be good to use.
- Sometimes it's difficult to determine if web info has ever been reviewed or revised.
Relevance
- How relevant is the information to the topic that your are researching?
- How well does the information cover your topic?
- 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 for your assignment?
- Does the site provide the information you need?
Authority
- Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
- What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?
- Is the author qualified to write on the topic?
- Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?
- Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source? (examples: .com .edu .gov .org .net)
Accuracy
- 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 unbiased and free of emotion?
-Are there spelling, grammar or typographical errors?
Purpose
- What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain or persuade?
- Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
- Is the information fact, opinion or propaganda?
- Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
- Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases?
- Are possible biases clearly stated?
|
When using the CRAAP test, you need to evaluate all of the criteria C - Currency R - Relevance A - Authority A - Accuracy P - Purpose
For example: Web information that's current is not very useful if it isn't accurate.
|
|
Photo source: shutterstock.com