Developed by librarians at California State University-Chico, the CRAAP Test is a checklist evaluation tool designed to evaluate web content. The test provides a list of questions to ask when deciding whether or not a source is reliable and credible enough to use in your academic research paper. CRAAP is an acronym that stands for:

The timeliness of the information

• When was the information published?
• Has the information been revised or updated?

The importance of the information for your needs

• Who is the intended audience?
• Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?
• Can the information be related to your topic in a clear, understandable way?

The source of the information

• Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
• What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?
• Is the author's educational background, experience, or organizational affilication relate to the information in a meaningful way?
• Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?
• Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?

The reliability, truthfulness and correctness of the content

• Is the information supported by evidence?
• Has the information been reviewed by professionals in its field?
• Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
• Does the language or tone seem unbiased and free of emotion?
• Are there spelling, grammar or typographical errors?

The reason the information exists

• What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain or persuade?
• Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
• Is the information fact, opinion or propaganda?
• Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
• Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases?