ENG101 MCTC Library Research Strategy

Whenever you are in doubt if a book or article is scholarly, apply the criteria listed below to the work in question. This CRAAP Test will help determine if you have found a scholarly work.

The 5 criteria of the CRAAP Test:

• Currency: When was the article or content written? Is it current, timely? Is it out of date? Could the information be written in a historic context? 
• Relevance: Is the information appropriate for the topic? Who is the intended audience? 
• Authority: Who wrote the article? Professionals in the field? General public? What are the author's credentials? 
• Accuracy: Could the magazine article information be verified through other sources?
• Purpose: Is someone trying to persuade the audience to see a point of view or opinion? Is the information provided to promote or sell a product?  Is the information fact or opinion?

The video below will help explain the CRAAP Test. (Skip any beginning ads/commercials.)

-- created by BMS LMC

Print the CRAAP Test Guide to keep and refer to when evaluating websites, videos, books, or articles.

Use the worksheet on a source to see if it complies with the CRAAP Test Criteria.