Need a good way to evaluate a source? Take a look at the “craap” test!
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
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.
Attribution:
Academic Writing I | Lisa Ford, Tompkins Cortland Community College
Attributions:
"How Library Stuff Works: How to Evaluate Resources (the CRAAP Test)" Youtube, uploaded by McMaster Libraries, 23 Jan. 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_M1-aMCJHFg&t=4s.
Permissions: YouTube Terms of Service
Scenario:
You're writing a research paper on the impact of social media on teen mental health. You find the following source online:
Source Title: "Why Instagram Is the Worst for Teen Anxiety"
Author: Dr. Karen Fields
Website: www.mentalwellnessblog.net
Published: February 2016
About the site: The blog is run by a group of wellness enthusiasts but does not list medical credentials or affiliations.
Use the CRAAP test evaluation form listed in the previous box to evaluate the above source. Then, click on the document below to see an explanation of possible answers.
First, consider this scenario:
You're writing a research paper on the impact of social media on teen mental health. You find the following source online:
Source Title: "Why Instagram Is the Worst for Teen Anxiety"
Author: Dr. Karen Fields
Website: www.mentalwellnessblog.net
Published: February 2016
About the site: The blog is run by a group of wellness enthusiasts but does not list medical credentials or affiliations.
Second, use the CRAAP test evaluation form provided in the previous box above to evaluate the source.
Third, open the document listed below to read an explanation of why the source is/is not credible, based on the CRAAP test.
