Evaluating Information Credibility

You find two articles about electric cars: one from 2010 predicting limited growth, and one from 2024 showing rapid adoption. Which CRAAP element best explains why the older article may be less useful?

• Purpose

• Currency

• Accuracy

• Authority

A video explains climate change using colorful animations but does not mention who created it or what sources were used. Which factor should you question first?

• Whether the purpose is to persuade or inform.

• Whether the creator has recognized expertise.

• Whether the information is based on evidence.

• Whether the topic fits your exact research focus.

An article promotes a new diet and is authored by a food supplement company that also sells related products. Which CRAAP factor should be examined most carefully?

• Whether the author’s role shows possible bias.

• Whether the information is updated regularly.

• Whether the content matches your research scope.

• Whether the text contains peer-reviewed evidence.

An old newspaper from 1980 reports on the effects of deforestation in a rural province. You are studying present-day forest health in the same area. Which factor is most relevant here?

• The authority of the news organization.

• The accuracy of the historical data given.

• The currency of the information provided.

• The purpose behind publishing the article.

You find two sources about electric vehicles: one is a government report from 2023, and the other is a personal blog from 2023. Which factor will help you decide which one to trust more?

• The amount of detail in their written conclusions.

• The presence of qualified authors or institutions.

• The number of photos or diagrams they include.

• The length of the text compared to your needs.

A student cites a 2010 textbook in their paper about current smartphone addiction trends. Which CRAAP factor should be examined most closely?

• The accuracy of the data used in the textbook.

• The purpose of the textbook’s original writing.

• The currency of the research being presented.

• The authority of the book’s publishing company.

You find an online article about renewable energy that is highly engaging but contains statistics with no listed sources. Which factor is most in doubt?

• Whether the writer’s tone is formal or informal.

• Whether the topic is related to your current goal.

• Whether the site’s design looks modern and clear.

• Whether the information is accurate and verifiable.

A government health site publishes guidelines on balanced diets, supported by multiple research studies and updated yearly. Which CRAAP element is most strongly demonstrated?

• Accuracy

• Authority

• Currency

• Relevance

A video explains how vaccines work but uses no scientific sources, and the speaker is a self-described “health enthusiast” without formal training. Which factor is most in question?

• The currency of the statistics being mentioned.

• The authority of the person sharing the content.

• The relevance of the examples used in the talk.

• The accuracy of the diagrams used in the video.

A research paper on climate change cites a “study” from a personal blog with no author name, no date, and claims based on opinion rather than data. According to the CRAAP Test, which single criterion is most clearly violated?

• Currency

• Relevance

• Authority

• Accuracy