Is your resource trustworthy? Is it peer reviewed?

To find out the if a research article is trustworthy and peer reviewed I utilize the CRAP Test (see below). If you are interested in learning if an article is peer-reviewed follow this link.

CRAP Test

You can evaluate the trustworthiness of a resource by utilizing the CRAP Test. CRAP is an acronym that will help you determine the reliability  of the research you found. 

This video was created by UTS Libraries (Australia) and assists with utilizing the CRAP Test.

Currency (the timeliness of the information)
● How recent is the information? 
● When was the information published or last updated?
● Have newer articles been published on your topic?
● Is your topic in an area that changes rapidly, like technology, health, science or popular
culture?

Relevance or Reliability (the accuracy of the information)
● Are there statements you know to be false? ? Is the article based on transparent on facts and statistics? Is the language scholarly?
● Was the information reviewed by editors or subject experts before it was published?
● What citations or references support the author’s claims?
● What do other people say about the topic?

Authority (the source of the information )
● Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor of the source? Are they reputable?
● What are the author’s credentials or organizational affiliations?
● Is the author qualified to write on the topic?

Purpose ( the reason the information exists)
Is the purpose of the source to sell, persuade, entertain or inform?
● Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases?
● Are alternative points of view presented?
● Does the author use strong or emotional language?