There method CRAAP (currency, relevance, authority, accuracy and prupose) – California State University developed the CRAAP test in 2004 – is a method for assessing the credibility of a reference you are using. When conducting research, it is important to use credible sources. They ensure the reliability of your argument and strengthen your conclusions.
In short
The CRAAP test has 5 main components
- Motto: Is the source up to date?
- Relevance: Is the source relevant to your research ?
- Authority: Where is the source published? Who is the author? Are they considered reputable and trustworthy in their field?
- Accuracy: Is the source supported by evidence? Are the statements correctly cited?
- Objective: What was the reason for publishing this source?
Books
Although books are often considered one of the most reliable sources, it is still important to pay attention to the author, publisher, and reason for publication.
Some books are commercially motivated or sponsored, which affects their credibility. Generally, academic publishers and university presses are often considered credible.
When reviewing a book, ask yourself:
- When was the book published?
- Is this the most recent book available on the topic I am studying?
- Are there multiple editions of this book? The publication of multiple editions indicates that the author is motivated to keep the information up to date.
- Who is the author?
Are they trusted experts in their field? - Who is the publisher?
It should be clear what criteria the publishing house follows for editing, fact-checking and publishing. - Is the purpose of publishing the book clear?
The main goal should be to educate the reader, not try to convince them to buy or believe something.
Scientific articles
Academic journals are one of the best resources you can turn to during your research process. They are often peer-reviewed, meaning they have gone through a rigorous editing process before publication.
When evaluating a journal article, ask yourself:
Does the journal have a peer review process?
The individuals who participate in each review panel should be readily available in each article.
What else has the author published and how many times has it been cited?
A quick Google Scholar search will show you if the author has published other articles or been cited by other researchers. The feature called “Cited by” can show you where the author was cited. A high number of results “Cited by” can often be a measure of credibility. You can also look at the rank of the conference (on Core Conf for example) or the journal (on Scimagojr for example).
Is the journal indexed in academic databases?
Did he have to remove many items?
You can find high-quality journals through Google Scholar or your institution's library. Your library may also have access to journals protected by paywalls. Here are some examples of databases where you can find reputable academic journals: JSTOR, EBSCO, Sage Publications, PubMed, and Project Muse.
Press articles
News articles can be difficult to evaluate. Many news sources are extremely reliable, with a long history of factual and trustworthy journalism.
Others, however, may be heavily biased or targeted to a specific audience. Some are poorly written or poorly researched, while others are simply “clickbait” or satire, designed to mislead or entertain an audience.
In the age of “fake news,” it is more important than ever to carefully evaluate news articles, especially those found online. It is often best to use information sources to situate your argument or support your research, with more academic sources constituting the “meat” of your analysis.
When evaluating a source of information, ask yourself questions following:
Who published the article? Is it a reputable and established source of information?
Reputable news sources agree to fact-check their content, issue corrections and retractions where necessary, and only partner with credible journalists.
Who is the author? Are they credible journalists?
Credible journalists are committed to reporting factual information in an impartial manner and adhere to a shared code of ethics within the profession.
Is the article factual and unbiased?
The article should not favor one version of the story or one point of view, but present all versions fairly.
Does the article link to, credit or reference credible primary sources?
Links in news articles can often be a great place to find valuable primary sources.
Web sources
Although very common, websites are often among the most difficult to evaluate in terms of credibility. A good first step is to take a look at the URL.
Educational resources end with .edu and are widely considered the most trusted in academic circles.
Government-affiliated websites end in .gov and are often considered credible.
Nonprofit or advocacy websites end with .org. These are often considered credible, but make sure the information provided is unbiased.
Websites with some sort of commercial look end with .com. Although this information may be credible, be careful here.
When was the web page last published and updated?
If you're studying a topic that changes frequently, such as cutting-edge research or current events, make sure the information is up to date. If your topic is not as time-sensitive, like history, the publication date may not matter as much. However, you should always ensure that the website is updated regularly. An outdated website is often not credible.
Do the links on the web page still work?
What types of sources do they lead to? Are these sources credible?
Is the layout professional?
A website with lots of ads or sponsored content could mean it's not credible.
Flashy fonts, pop-ups, and distracting layout can also be a sign that the content is not credible.
Who is the author of the material? Are they considered experts in their field?
There should be an “About” page listing the author’s credentials and establishing their expertise in the field. Anonymous content is generally not considered credible.
What is the author's motivation for publishing this document?
Try to stick to sources published for educational purposes. Sources that attempt to sell you something or convince you of a particular point of view or course of action are not considered credible.
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