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CRAAP Test

    With today’s information overload, it is essential to critically reflect the quality of your sources. The CRAAP test, originally developed at the Meriam Library at California State University, offers you a structured method for evaluating information sources. In the German version, known as the AAARG test, the order of the criteria is slightly changed, but the content remains the same.

    It is important to note that the CRAAP test is not a simple checklist that you can quickly work through. Depending on the requirements put on your sources and the stage of your research, you should weigh the criteria differently.

    Currency

    To assess the currency of a source, you should ask yourself the following questions:

    • When was the information published or posted? Is the publication date indicated at all?
    • Has the information been revised or updated, and are these changes traceable?
    • Do you have to rely exclusively on current information, or are older sources also relevant? Do the links given in an online source work and do they refer to other relevant content?

    Relevance (Relevanz)

    To assess the relevance of the information for your work, you should ask yourself the following questions:

    • Does the information relate to your topic and does it answer your questions?
    • Who is the source’s target group, and is it largely identical to your target group?
    • Is the information at an appropriate level (not too basic nor too advanced)?
    • Did you look at several sources before deciding on this one?

    Note: Be aware that the relevance of different sources will change over the course of your research. In the initial phase, for example, when you are familiarizing yourself with the topic, sources that are aimed at a broader target group will be relevant to you. However, if you are looking for sources to support the theses in your work, sources aimed at a smaller target group of specialists will be more important.

    Authority

    To assess the authority, i.e. the competence or expertise behind the information source, ask yourself the following questions:

    • Who are the authors / editors / sponsors? Is the authorship clearly recognizable?
    • What are the author’s qualifications, and which institution do they belong to?
    • Does the author have the necessary expertise to write about the topic?
    • Is there contact information, such as a publisher or an e-mail address?
    • What does the URL say about the author or the source (e.g. .com, .edu, .gov, .org, .net)?

    Note: To find out more about the authors, it is worth looking at the websites of the institutions affiliated with the author. Google Scholar (example: Prof. Schöning) also provides information on many authors that can help to assess their expertise, such as the h-index.

    Accuracy

    To assess the accuracy of the information, you should ask the following questions:

    • Where does the information come from?
    • Is the information backed up by evidence?
    • Has the information been externally verified or evaluated?
    • Can you verify the information from another source or from personal knowledge?

    Note: For these questions, it is essential to look at the references in the sources. A tidy and consistent bibliography can be expected to provide precise and correct information.

    • Is a clear distinction made between facts, interpretations and opinions and is neutrality maintained?
    • Are there (frequent) spelling or grammatical errors?

    Note: These questions can be checked directly in the text of the source. An accumulation of errors in the text but also a lack of clear separation of facts and opinions are a red flag and should be reason enough for us not to use the text in question as a source.

    Purpose

    To understand the authors‘ purpose, ask yourself the following questions:

    • What is the purpose of the source? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain or convince?
    • Do the authors/sponsors make their intention or the purpose of the source clear?
    • Is the information based on facts, opinions or propaganda?
    • Is the point of view objective and unbiased?
    • Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious or personal biases?

    Note: It is a good sign when authors clearly disclose their intentions and/or conflicts of interest. If conflicts of interest only come to light through further research, the impartiality of the source must be questioned.

    Conclusion

    The CRAAP test is an effective tool for evaluating information sources. By systematically applying the above criteria, you can ensure that you are using high-quality and trustworthy information to support your work.

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