DIET 201: Applied Nutrition Lab
Evaluating Information: The CRAAP Method
CRAAP Overview
Finding information isn't hard. Finding good information is a different story. How can you tell the good from the bad? Evaluate using the CRAAP Method. Remember to use this evaluation technique on all information you come across - including library resources!
Currency
Relevance
Authority
Accuracy
Purpose
The CRAAP Method was developed by Meriam Library at California State University.
The timeliness of the information.
When was the information published or posted?
Has the information been revised or updated?
Does your topic require current information, or will older sources work well?
If on the internet, are the links functional? Are there any dates that you can find, like a time stamp?
The CRAAP Method was developed by Meriam Library at California State University.
The importance of the information for your needs.
Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
Who is the intended audience?
Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?
Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?
Would you be comfortable citing this source in your research paper?
The CRAAP Method was developed by Meriam Library at California State University.
The source of the information.
Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?
Is the author qualified to write on the topic?
Is there contact information, such as publisher or email address?
If on the internet, does the URL reveal anything about the author or source? (consider .com, .edu, .gov, .org, or something else)
The CRAAP Method was developed by Meriam Library at California State University.
The reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content.
Where does the information come from?
Is the information supported by evidence?
Has the information been peer-reviewed or edited?
Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
Are there spelling, grammar, or typographical errors?
The CRAAP Method was developed by Meriam Library at California State University.
The reason the information exists.
What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain, or persuade?
Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
Is the information fact, opinion, or propaganda?
Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?
On a website, are there numerous advertisements?
The CRAAP Method was developed by Meriam Library at California State University.
Peer-Reviewed
Domains
Site domains can tell us a lot of information about a website, its intended audience, bias, etc. Below is a chart indicating the purpose of these domains.
| Domain | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| .com | Commerical - commerical organization, FOR profit, or personal webpage | www.atkins.com |
| .edu | Educational - college or university | www.nicholls.edu |
| .gov | Government - local or federal level | www.nutrition.gov |
| .org | Organization - nonprofit or individual (NOTE: can have bias!) |
www.factcheck.org www.eatright.org www.NRA.org |
| .net | Network - site created using an Internet service provider (usually falls into the same category as .com) | http://health.yahoo.net |
| .la.us | State institution - state abbreviation followed by secondary domain indicating US | www.state.lib.la.us |
|
.uk .ca .de |
Country indicators: UK = United Kingdom, CA = Canada, DE = Germany, etc. A list of country indicators can be found here: UNC Country Codes |
www.parliament.uk |