55 Tools for Evaluating Sources

Need a good way to evaluate a source?  Take a look at its “craap”!

The C.R.A.A.P. method is a way to determine the validity and relevance of a source. C.R.A.A.P. stands for

  • C: Currency. When was the information published?
  • R: Relevance. How relevant to your goals is the information?
  • A: Authority. How well does the author of the information know the information?
  • A: Accuracy. How reliable is the information?
  • P: Purpose. Why does this information exist in this way?

If the source you’re looking at is fairly current, relevant, and accurate, it’s probably a good source to use. Depending on the aim of your paper, you’ll be looking for an authority and purpose that are unbiased and informative.

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