The CRAP Test

The CRAP Test
Evaluate Sources Based on the Following Criteria:

Currency, Reliability, Authority and Purpose/Point of View

Currency

  • How recent is the information?
  • How recently has the website been updated?
  • Is it current enough for your topic?

Reliability

  • What kind of information is included in the resource?
  • Is content of the resource primarily opinion? Is is balanced?
  • Does the creator provide references or sources for data or quotations?

Authority

  • Who is the creator or author?
  • What are the credentials?
  • Who is the published or sponsor?
  • Are they reputable?
  • What is the publisher’s interest (if any) in this information?
  • Are there advertisements on the website?

Purpose/Point of View

  • Is this fact or opinion?
  • Is it biased?
  • Is the creator/author trying to sell you something?

(adapted from LOEX 2008 wiki)

Personal Librarians

In this age of automation, online tutorials, and self serve learning it is refreshing to see an emphasis on personalized instruction. For incoming freshmen sometimes knowing who to contact for help is half the battle so it will be interesting to see how Drexel’s new program will work.

Read the full article…
Value of Academic LIbraries Report…