ENGL 101/111 Research Guide

The CRAP Test, developed by Molly Beestrum*, is a helpful tool to use when trying to decide if a website is a credible, valid source. The CRAP Test looks at four major areas: currency, reliability, authority and purpose. When determining whether a website is credible or not, evaluate it on those four areas. Here are a few suggestions to help you think through your evaluation process. The CRAP test works for articles you find in journals or books. too! 

Currency

• How recent is the information?
• How recently has the website been updated?
• Is it current enough for your topic?

Reliability

• What kind of information is included in the resource?
• Is content of the resource primarily opinion?  Is is balanced?
• Does the creator provide references or sources for data or quotations?

Authority

• Who is the creator or author?
• What are the credentials? Can you find any information about the author's background?
• Who is the published or sponsor?
• Are they reputable?
• What is the publisher's interest (if any) in this information?
• Are there advertisements on the website? If so, are they cleared marked?

Purpose/Point of View

• Is this fact or opinion? Does the author list sources or cite references?
• Is it biased? Does the author seem to be trying to push an agenda or particular side?
• Is the creator/author trying to sell you something? If so, is it clearly stated?
   

* The C.R.A.P. Test was created by librarian Molly Beestrum at Dominican University and adapted by the LOEX wiki.

Discover the difference between articles from scholarly journals and popular magazines/newspapers and find out why articles from scholarly journals are considered more authoritative.

(Courtesy of the Peabody Library at Vanderbilt University)