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Law Enforcement

Is It Fake News?

Evaluating Sources Using the CRAAP Test

Criteria Questions to Ask
Currency
  • Does your topic require current information?  If so, when was the source written and published?
  • Has the information been revised or updated recently?
Relevance
  • Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
  • Who is the intended audience?  Is the level too elementary or advanced for your needs?
Authority
  • Who is the author (person, company, or organization) and what are the author's credentials and affiliations?
  • If a website, does the URL provide insight?  examples: .com .edu .gov .org .net
Accuracy
  • Where does the information come from?
  • Can the information be verified through another source?
  • Has the information been reviewed?  Is there a bibliography?
Purpose
  • What is the reason for the source's existence?  To inform, teach, sell, entertain, or persuade?
  • Who is the intended audience? 
  • Does the point of view appear objective or biased?

 

Adapted from Evaluating Information - Applying the CRAAP Test from the Meriam Library at California State University, Chico