Summary of "Evaluating Sources with the CRAP Test"

CRAP test: Evaluating research sources

CRAP = Currency; Reliability & Relevance; Authority & Audience; Purpose & Point of View

This short tutorial explains how to apply the CRAP test to books, articles, and websites. It outlines what to look for (dates, subject headings, references/links, author credentials, domain type, intended audience, and the author’s purpose) and provides practical checks to decide whether a source is appropriate for your research needs. If you’re unsure, consult a librarian for more help.

Overview

The CRAP test applies to any source type: library books, articles from databases, or websites.
Use it as a quick checklist when selecting sources.

Detailed method (CRAP test) — steps and checks

Currency (timeliness)
- Look for the publication date.
- Ask: Is timeliness important for my topic? (e.g., elections and current events need recent sources; historical or literary topics may rely on older works.)
- Note: Older sources (20+ years) may still be fine for some subjects; for current topics, prefer recent sources.
- Where to find it: library catalog records often list the publication date after the publisher.
Relevance
- Check whether the source addresses your specific research focus.
- Look for relevant terminology and subject headings in the catalog record.
- Use table of contents, abstracts, or summaries (when available) to determine scope and fit.
Reliability (quality and objectivity)
- Look for references, citations, or links that support claims.
- On websites, inspect the links and whether they point to reputable sources.
- Identify whether the content is informative/factual or persuasive/opinionated.
- Match source type to your need: use informative, evidence-based sources for facts; opinion sources are useful for building persuasive arguments.
- Example: an article that includes many links and ends with a references list is more reliable.
Authority
- Identify the author or organization responsible for the content.
- Verify credentials and expertise (for example, a quick search to confirm an author’s academic position and publication record).
- Check publisher or organizational affiliation (information can appear inside the publication).
- For websites, consider domain extensions as clues:
  - .edu = academic institutions
  - .gov = U.S. government
  - .org = nonprofit organizations (may have an agenda)
  - .com = commercial entities
  - .net = possibly personal or local community sites
- Use these authority indicators to assess credibility.
Audience
- Determine the intended audience: general public, students, professionals, children, teens, etc.
- Check whether the level, tone, and site or publication sections (e.g., kid/teen sections) match your intended reader or research purpose.
Purpose and Point of View
- Ask why the author/organization published the information:
  - To inform/report facts?
  - To persuade or argue?
  - To sell a product or service?
- Watch for ads or other commercial motives that may affect content credibility.
- Consider whether the source has an explicit bias or slant; that affects how you use it.

Final advice

Use the CRAP test as a quick checklist when selecting and evaluating sources.
When in doubt or for more help, consult a librarian.

Speakers / example sources featured

Unnamed tutorial narrator/instructor (video speaker)
Deborah Tannen (example author; described as a professor at Georgetown University)
Library catalog / book record (example source type)
An article with links and references (example)
Websites with different domain types and audience-targeted sections (example)
Librarian (recommended resource for additional help)