Table 9 

The CRAP test is a way to evaluate a source based on the following criteria: Currency, Reliability, Authority and Purpose/Point of View.  Below are some questions to help you think about how to measure each of the criteria. 

    * Currency -

          o How recent is the information?

          o How recently has the website been updated?

          o Is it current enough for your topic?

    * Reliability -

          o What kind of information is included in the resource?

          o Is content of the resource primarily opinion?  Is is balanced?

          o Does the creator provide references or sources for data or quotations?

    * Authority -

          o Who is the creator or author?

          o What are the credentials?

          o Who is the published or sponsor?

          o Are they reputable?

          o What is the publisher's interest (if any) in this information?

          o Are there advertisements on the website?

    * Purpose/Point of View -

          o Is this fact or opinion?

          o Is it biased?

          o Is the creator/author trying to sell you something?

Annotation:   This timely study from 2005, details the results of scientific study that correlated emotional response to policy decisions as related to the attacks of September 11, 2001.  Authored by researchers from the University of Colorado, with grant support from the National Instutute of Mental Health, this article provides factual, balanced content.

Annotation: