Information Essentials: Evaluation Tests: CRAAP / SIFT

Once you have perfected your search, and have a list of results, you have to evaluate their usefulness for your assignment. One way of doing this by using the CRAAP Test.

It is important to know whether the information you are using is credible and accurate!

Use the guide below to evaluate your resources and decide if they are suitable for your assignments.

   Currency: The timeliness of the information.

• When was the information published or posted?
• Has it been revised or updated?
• Do you need the most current information for your topic?
• Are the links functional?

   Relevance: The importance of the information for your needs.

• Does the information directly relate to your topic?
• Does it help you answer questions?
• Who is the intended audience (i.e. is it written for Primary School Students)?
• Have you looked at other sources to find the best one?

   Authority: The source of the information.

• Who is the author or publisher?
• Are they qualified to write about the topic?
• “Peer reviewed” is a good indicator for this
• Is there any contact information, such as a publisher or email address?
• If it’s a website, does the URL say anything about the source? .com .gov .edu .org?

   Accuracy: The reliability and correctness of the information.

• Is the information supported by evidence?
• Can you verify the information with another source?
• Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
• Does the language seem unbiased and free of emotion?
• Can you identify any spelling, grammar or typographical errors?

   Purpose: The reason the information exists.

• What is the purpose of the information?
• Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
• Is the information fact, opinion or propaganda?
• Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases?

Of course, this is not the only way to evaluate your results, rather, this is a framework for you to start thinking critically about your results and whether they are relevant sources for your current assignment.

Another great tool for fact-checking and assessing the credibility of online information, news sources and gen AI outputs is the SIFT test (Caulfield, 2019). It emphasises the need for lateral research (cross-checking) to verify information using other trusted sources.

University of South Australia Study Help: Evaluating Information