It is crucial to evaluate whether the information you retrieve is credible, relevant, and reliable before using it in your assignments.
🔍 What does this matter?
Not all information is accurate! Just because something appears in Google Search results does not mean it is trustworthy. Evaluating sources ensures that you are using high-quality, academic, and relevant materials.
The CRAAP Test is a tool used to evaluate the credibility and reliability of information sources. It helps you determine whether a source is appropriate and trustworthy for academic research. CRAAP stands for the five criteria to assess information:
The CRAAP Test helps determine if a source is credible and useful for academic research.
📌 Example: Evaluating a Journal Article on Green Buildings
✔️ Currency: The article was published in 2024 – ✅ Good!
✔️ Relevance: It discusses green buildings in urban development, which matches the topic – ✅ Good!
✔️ Authority: Written by a PhD researcher in environmental engineering – ✅ Good!
✔️ Accuracy: References multiple peer-reviewed studies – ✅ Good!
✔️ Purpose: The article analyzes data rather than persuades – ✅ Good!
🚨 Red Flags to Watch Out For
❌ Outdated information (e.g., statistics from 2000 on a modern issue)
❌ No author credentials or academic affiliation
❌ Websites with .com or blogs instead of .edu / .gov / .org
Using the CRAAP Test helps ensure that your research is based on reliable and credible sources. It ensures the accuracy of your work and protects you from using biased or outdated information.
This test is a helpful guide for students and researchers when evaluating articles, websites, books, or any other sources.
🎯In the next module, you will learn how to Use Information Ethically and Avoid Plagiarism!