craap test essay examples

Extended Essay: Evaluate & Select: the CRAAP Test

• Extended Essay- The Basics
• Step 1. Choose a Subject
• Step 2. Educate yourself!
• Using Brainstorming and Mind Maps
• Identify Keywords
• Do Background Reading
• Define Your Topic
• Conduct Research in a Specific Discipline
• Step 5. Draft a Research Question
• Step 6. Create a Timeline
• Find Articles
• Find Primary Sources
• Get Help from Experts
• Search Engines, Repositories, & Directories
• Databases and Websites by Subject Area
• Create an Annotated Bibliography
• Advice (and Warnings) from the IB
• Chicago Citation Syle
• MLA Works Cited & In-Text Citations
• Step 9. Set Deadlines for Yourself
• Step 10. Plan a structure for your essay
• Evaluate & Select: the CRAAP Test
• Conducting Secondary Research
• Conducting Primary Research
• Formal vs. Informal Writing
• Presentation Requirements
• Evaluating Your Work

The Research Process

The  CRAAP Test was developed by the Meriam Library at California State University, Chico to help you evaluate the information you find.  It is a list of questions that help you determine if the sources you found are accurate and reliable.  Keep in mind that this list is not static or complete. Different criteria will be more or less important depending on your situation or need.

On this page you can:

Read  the list of questions in the CRAAP test  (to the right)

Watch the video below about  evaluating websites (using the CAPOW  test!)

See other pages in this section with more detail on the CRAAP test questions:

Currency: The timeliness of the information Relevance: The importance of the information for your needs Authority: The source of the information Accuracy: The reliability, truthfulness and correctness of the content Purpose: The reason the information exists

CAPOW - How to Evaluate a Website

The CRAAP Test

C urrency : the timeliness of the information.

• When was the information published or posted?
• Has the source been revised or updated?
• Does your topic require current information, or will older sources work as well?
• (If you are using the Web:) Are the links functional?

Relevance : 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 the one you will use?
• Would you be comfortable citing this source in your research paper?

Authority: 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 this topic?
• Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?
• (If you are using the Web:) Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source ?  Examples:  .com, .edu, .gov, .org, .net
• Is there contact information for author/ publisher/ sponsor?

Accuracy : The reliability, truthfulness and correctness of the content

• Where does the information come from?
•  Is the information supported by evidence?
• Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
• Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
•  Does the language or tone seem unbiased and free of emotion?
•  Are there spelling, grammar or typographical errors?

Purpose : 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?

Download a copy of the C.R.A.A.P. test here:

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• Knowledge Base
• Working with sources
• Applying the CRAAP Test & Evaluating Sources

Applying the CRAAP Test & Evaluating Sources

Published on 4 October 2022 by Tegan George .

The CRAAP test is a method to evaluate the credibility of a source you are using.

When conducting research, it’s important to use credible sources . They ensure the trustworthiness of your argument and strengthen your conclusions.

There are a lot of sources out there, and it can be hard to determine whether they are sufficiently credible, but doing so is an important information literacy skill. To help, librarians at California State University developed the CRAAP test in 2004.

• Currency: Is the source up to date?
• Relevance: Is the source relevant to your research?
• Authority: Where is the source published? Who is the author? Are they considered reputable and trustworthy in their field?
• Accuracy: Is the source supported by evidence? Are the claims cited correctly?
• Purpose: What was the motive behind publishing this source?

Here are some examples using different sources.

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Table of contents

Journal articles, news articles, web sources, frequently asked questions.

While books are often considered among the most reliable sources, it is still important to pay attention to the author, publisher, and motive behind the publication.

Some books are commercially motivated or sponsored, which affects their credibility. As a general rule, academic publishers and university presses are often considered credible.

When evaluating a book, ask yourself:

• When was the book published? Is this the most current book available on the topic that I’m studying?
• Is there more than one edition of this book? Publishing multiple editions is a signal that the author is motivated to keep the information current.
• Who is the author? Are they a trusted expert in their field?
• Who is the publisher? It should be clear what criteria the publishing house follows for editing, fact-checking, and publishing.
• Is the purpose behind publishing the book clear? The main purpose should be to educate the reader, not to try to convince them to buy or believe something.

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Academic journals are one of the best resources you can turn to during your research process. They are often peer reviewed , which means they have undergone a rigorous editing process prior to publication.

When evaluating a journal article, ask yourself:

• Does the journal have a peer review process? Who participates on each review panel should be readily available within each article.
• What else has the author published, and how many times has it been cited? A quick Google Scholar search will show you if the author has published other articles or been cited by other scholars. The function called ‘Cited By’ can show you where the author has been cited. A high number of ‘Cited By’ results can often be a measurement of credibility.
• Is the journal indexed in academic databases? Has it had to retract many articles?

You can find high-quality journals via Google Scholar or your institution’s library. Your library also may have access to journals behind paywalls.

A few examples of databases where you can find well-regarded academic journals are: JSTOR , EBSCO , Sage Publications , PubMed , and Project Muse .

News articles can be tricky to evaluate. Many news sources are eminently reliable, with long histories of fact-based and trustworthy journalism.

Others, however, can be heavily biased or targeted at a specific audience. Some are poorly-written or researched, while some are mere ‘clickbait’ or satire, designed to mislead or entertain an audience.

In the age of ‘ fake news’ , it’s more important than ever to carefully evaluate news articles, especially those found online. News sources are often best used to situate your argument or ground your research, with more academic sources making up the ‘meat’ of your analysis.

When evaluating a news source, ask yourself:

• Who published the article? Is it a reputable and established news source? Reputable news sources commit to fact-checking their content, issuing corrections and withdrawals if necessary, and only associating with credible journalists.
• Who is the author? Are they a credible journalist? Credible journalists commit to reporting factual information in an unbiased manner, and prescribe to a code of ethics shared within the profession.
• Is the article fact-based and impartial? The article shouldn’t favour one side of the story or one point of view, but present all sides fairly.
• Does the article link back to, credit, or refer to credible primary sources? Links in news articles can often be a great place to find valuable primary source material.

Note that letters to the editor and other types of opinion pieces (often called op-eds) are opinion-based by nature, and usually not credible.

While very common, websites are often among the most challenging to evaluate for credibility.

They are not subject to the peer-review or rigorous editing process that academic journals or books go through, and websites like Wikipedia can be altered by anyone at any time.

While you will undoubtedly use websites in your research, exercise caution here.

A good first step is to take a look at the URL.

• Educational resources end in .edu , and are largely considered the most trustworthy in academic settings.
• Government-affiliated websites end in .gov , and are often considered credible.
• Non-profit or advocacy websites end in .org . These are often considered credible, but be sure that the information provided is unbiased.
• Websites with some sort of commercial aspect end in .com . While these can be credible, exercise caution here.

Be on the lookout for native advertising on web sources, a sales tactic that has grown tremendously in the last few years. Native ads are designed to look and feel just like the rest of the content on the site.

This tricks even the most savvy of visitors into thinking they are reading a credible source, when in fact they are consuming advertising. The rise of native advertising as a source of revenue for news sources is also troubling, and diminishes their credibility.

When analysing web sources, ask yourself:

• When was the web page published and last updated? If you are studying a topic that is frequently changing, such as cutting-edge research or current events, make sure that the information is up to date. If your subject is not as time-sensitive, such as history, the publication date may not matter as much. However, you should still ensure that the website is updated regularly. A website that is out-of-date is often not credible.
• Are the links on the webpage still working? What kinds of sources do they lead to? Are those sources credible?
• Is the layout professional? A website with a lot of ads or sponsored content could signify that it is not credible. Flashy fonts, pop-ups, and a distracting layout can also be a sign that the content is not credible.
• Who is the author of the material? Are they considered an expert in their field? There should be an ‘About’ page denoting the author’s credentials and establishing their expertise in the field. Anonymous content is generally not considered credible.
• What is the author’s motivation for publishing this material? Try to stick with sources published for educational purposes. Sources attempting to sell you something or convince you of a particular point of view or course of action are not considered credible.

A credible source should pass the CRAAP test  and follow these guidelines:

• The information should be up to date and current.
• The author and publication should be a trusted authority on the subject you are researching.
• The sources the author cited should be easy to find, clear, and unbiased.
• For a web source, the URL and layout should signify that it is trustworthy.

Peer review is a process of evaluating submissions to an academic journal. Utilising rigorous criteria, a panel of reviewers in the same subject area decide whether to accept each submission for publication.

For this reason, academic journals are often considered among the most credible sources you can use in a research project – provided that the journal itself is trustworthy and well regarded.

The CRAAP test is an acronym to help you evaluate the credibility of a source you are considering using. It is an important component of information literacy .

The CRAAP test has five main components:

Academic dishonesty can be intentional or unintentional, ranging from something as simple as claiming to have read something you didn’t to copying your neighbour’s answers on an exam.

You can commit academic dishonesty with the best of intentions, such as helping a friend cheat on a paper. Severe academic dishonesty can include buying a pre-written essay or the answers to a multiple-choice test, or falsifying a medical emergency to avoid taking a final exam.

To determine if a source is primary or secondary, ask yourself:

• Was the source created by someone directly involved in the events you’re studying (primary), or by another researcher (secondary)?
• Does the source provide original information (primary), or does it summarize information from other sources (secondary)?
• Are you directly analyzing the source itself (primary), or only using it for background information (secondary)?

Some types of sources are nearly always primary: works of art and literature, raw statistical data, official documents and records, and personal communications (e.g. letters, interviews ). If you use one of these in your research, it is probably a primary source.

Primary sources are often considered the most credible in terms of providing evidence for your argument, as they give you direct evidence of what you are researching. However, it’s up to you to ensure the information they provide is reliable and accurate.

Always make sure to properly cite your sources to avoid plagiarism .

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.

George, T. (2022, October 04). Applying the CRAAP Test & Evaluating Sources. Scribbr. Retrieved 2 July 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/working-sources/craap-test-explained/

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Table of Contents

Collaboration, information literacy, writing process, the craap test –  currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, purpose.

• © 2023 by Joseph M. Moxley - University of South Florida

Learn about the critical perspectives that educated, critical, audiences use to analyze the credibility and reliability of information : C urrency , R elevance , A uthority , A ccuracy ,  and  P urpose.  

The CRAAP Test refers to the acronym “CRAAP” – C urrency , R elevance , A uthority , A ccuracy , and P urpose (Blakeslee 2004).

Educated, literate audiences consider the C urrency , R elevance , A uthority , A ccuracy , and P urpose of information when trying to evaluate its credibility and reliability.

Why Does the CRAAP Test Matter?

The CRAAP Test is a crucial tool for evaluating the reliability and credibility of information sources.

In an age where information is abundant and varied, distinguishing between trustworthy and unreliable sources is essential. The test provides a structured approach to scrutinize sources using specific evaluative criteria—Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose. This ensures that the information used in research, academic work, or decision-making is accurate, relevant, and from a reputable source.

By employing the CRAAP Test, knowledge workers can develop critical thinking skills, enhance the quality of their work, and make informed decisions based on reliable information.

What is Currency?

In the CRAAP evaluation framework, “currency” highlights the necessity for writers to present information that is current and relevant to their specific field or community. As ideas and research continually evolve, it’s vital for writers to ensure their work reflects the latest findings and discussions.

Presenting outdated or debunked concepts, particularly in educational or professional settings, risks being perceived as condescending, unengaging, or unprofessional by readers like students or clients. Effective communication demands that writers stay updated and avoid rehashing discredited ideas that could be easily refuted with a quick 30 second Google search.

What is Relevance?

The relevancy of a cited source relates to how well the source you have selected meets your information need.

Relevancy, when applied to quoted or paraphrased text, means that the point you are trying to make within the context of your text is directly supported by the text you have chosen to quote or  paraphrase .

Judging the relevancy of a source can be trickier than you might think. If the source you desire to cite is very broad in its scope, ask yourself if the conclusions drawn in the article can be easily applied to your thesis statement. For example, a journal article concerning the frequency of cigarette smoking among men between the ages of 18 and 24 in the United States could apply to a paper about the percentage of young men on your college campus who smoke. On the other hand, articles that are very narrow in scope could be relevant if you are able to generalize its conclusions and apply them to your research topic. For example, a journal article about the effects that violent video games have on the ability of seven-year-old males to form healthy peer relationships with female students at school could be applied to a research paper about the generalized effects of playing violent video games on children.

There are other questions you should ask yourself when considering the relevancy of a potential source. These include:

• Who is the  intended audience  of the source?
• Have you distinguished between  popular vs. scholarly sources
• Does the source support your claim?

What is Authority?

In writing and speech,  authority  refers to the degree to which a  writer  or speaker’s  text  seems plausible,  substantive . In most academic writing and workplace writing, writers and speakers aim to create a persona , voice , and tone that is authoritative. In other words, they want their audiences to believe what they have to say. To achieve that goal, they are likely to engage in rhetorical analysis to determine the sources and research methods their target audiences are likely to consider authoritative.

To learn more about how to assess authority, see Authority (in Writing & Speech)

What is Accuracy?

Information from unreliable sources is not always true, up-to-date, or accurate. Using unreliable sources weaken the credibility of the writer, dilute the writer’s argument, and detract from the overall strength of the text.

While the Internet provides a plethora of information on almost any topic imaginable, not all of its content can be trusted. Students should be cautiously selective while doing research and avoid sources that may contain unreliable information:

• Popular and collective websites (ask.com,  about.com ,  WebMD.com , etc.):   Websites such as these provide articles and information that has been collected from other sources that may not be reliable. While the sponsors of these sites usually employ writers who research the topics, citations for the sources of the data are not always provided.
• Wikipedia :   Wikipedia is an online open-source encyclopedia, which means that it can be edited by anyone. While the information on the site is audited by a Wikipedia editor, the information found there may or may not be correct or current.
• Source material based solely on opinion:   While material that conveys opinions and beliefs may have some validity, reliable sources that back up the opinion or belief with facts and trustworthy information should also be sought. If the opinion piece does not include data from reliable sources, a writer may choose not to include it as a source.

Note : Some sources, such as Wikipedia, provide a works cited list or reference list. Some of the cited works may be reliable. To confirm the validity of a knowledge claim, check the original source and interpret the information yourself.

What is Purpose?

Purpose refer to the aim of discourse — i.e. why the writer or speaker communicating.

Where Are Credible, Reliable Sources Found?

• Academic databases : These databases, such as  Academic Search Premier  and  JSTOR , include searchable collections of scholarly works, academic journals, online encyclopedias, and helpful bibliographies and can usually be accessed through a college library website.
• Academic peer-reviewed journals : Journal articles that have been peer-reviewed are generally considered reliable because they have been examined by experts in the field for accuracy and quality.
• Google scholar : This Internet search engine helps the user to locate scholarly literature in the form of articles and books, professional societies’ websites, online academic websites, and more.
• Library reference or research desk : Library staff can provide useful services, such as assistance with the use of library research tools, guidance with identifying credible and non-credible sources, and selection of reliable sources.

Blakeslee, Sarah (2004).  “The CRAAP Test” .  LOEX Quarterly . 31 (3).

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Featured Articles

Evaluating Sources

• Evaluate Source - SIFT

Short Videos to Help You to Critically Evaluate Sources

• Evaluating Sources - Worksheet
• In-Class Exercise

• Evaluate Sources Using CRAAP Test
• Evaluating Sources for Credibility
• Format Matters
• Credibility is contextual

The CRAAP test is one technique to help you in evaluating sources and determining whether you should use them in your research assignments.

CRAAP stands for: C urrency, R elevance, A uthority, A ccuracy, P urpose

The short video below walks you though the parts of the CRAAP test and provides you with examples of criteria for each part of the CRAAP test.

The short video below helps you determine whether a source is credible (i.e., high quality, trustworthy, and believable) and touches on criteria that are not readily apparent in the CRAAP test.

Using credible sources is key to your success on academic research project because high quality sources make your project high quality!

Sources of information come in many different formats - from books, newspapers, academic articles to blogs, tweets, and memes. These sources differ in terms of the process of how they are created. This process can impact whether and how you might use a source in your academic research project.

The short video below helps you better understand these processes and explores when using different formats of information might be appropriate.

This short video guides you in finding credible sources for research projects, and explains why some sources are more credible than others.

• << Previous: Evaluate Source - SIFT
• Next: Evaluating Sources - Worksheet >>
• Last updated: Aug 29, 2022 11:07 AM
• URL: https://libguides.asu.edu/evaluate

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Evaluating Sources: The CRAAP Test

• CRAAP Test Alternatives
• Evaluating Books
• Evaluating Journal Articles
• Evaluating Websites
• Evaluating Images
• How to Avoid Fake News This link opens in a new window

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What is the CRAAP Test?

CRAAP is an acronym for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose. Use the CRAAP Test to evaluate your sources.

Currency : the timeliness of the information

• When was the information published or posted?
• Has the information been revised or updated?
• Is the information current or out-of date for your topic?
• Are the links functional?   

Relevance : 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 using this source for a research paper?

Authority : the source of the information

• Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
• Are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given?
• What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given?
• What are the author's qualifications to write on the topic?
• Is there contact information, such as a publisher or e-mail address?
• .com (commercial), .edu (educational), .gov (U.S. government)
• .org (nonprofit organization), or
• .net (network)

Accuracy : the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content

• Where does the information come from?
• Is the information supported by evidence?
• Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
• Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
• Does the language or tone seem biased and free of emotion?
• Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors?

Purpose : the reason the information exists

• What is the purpose of the information? to inform? teach? sell? entertain? persuade?
• Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
• Is the information fact? opinion? propaganda?
• Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
• Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?

Evaluation Materials

• CRAAP Test: Slide Presentation
• CRAAP Evaluation Checklist
• Evaluating Sources Checklist
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Writing Article: CRAAP Analysis Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

When analyzing an article, it is necessary to rely on the CRAAP 5-criteria methodology, which allows one to evaluate the appropriateness of using the work for your research. The methodology contains five criteria: currency, relevance, authority, accuracy and purpose. Borsellino’s article Why writing skills are important for every job–and how to improve yours is valid and can be used when writing any paper because it expands the idea of writing skills.

The currency criterion reflects the relevance of the article based on its standards of scholarship and objectivity. Borsellino’s paper provides an actual overview of writing skills in line with new trends in marketing, technology, and communications (Borsellino, n.d.). While writing skills are generally unchanged, the paper offers recent advice given the narrow focus for such criteria as Planning and/or Outlining (Borsellino, n.d.). This article offers a new way of looking at familiar skills and finding effective uses for them.

The relevance criterion reveals the relationship of the paper’s topic to the information provided. Borsellino’s paper has a structure that directly follows the title and ties the information together for a complete picture of the writing skills in a work setting. For example, the headline Showing Off Your Writing Skills in a Job Search allows one to test your skills in an interview (Borsellino, n.d.). The authority criterion relates to the credibility of the information and the ability to refer to it. The work is published on Muse, which generally meets the requirements for paper quality.

The accuracy criterion is consistent with the evidence provided by the author in the paper. Article includes specific examples and writing tips, and additional links to outside sources. For example, the block Pay Attention to the Mechanics of Your Writing allows one to enrich your knowledge of specific writing skills techniques (Borsellino, n.d.). The criterion of purpose is related to what the information is provided for. Since the aim was to find a paper that reveals writing skills, the paper used meets this criterion.

Analyzed paper has all the criteria of CRAAP and meets the request for currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, and purpose. The article Why writing skills are important for every job–and how to improve yours has information about the preparation of non-fiction writing in papers that will be useful due to its credibility and breadth of use. It has structure, particular purpose and examples and its service is helpful in the preparation of paper.

Borsellino, R. (n.d.). Why writing skills are important for every job—and how to improve yours . The Muse . Web.

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IvyPanda. (2023, May 15). Writing Article: CRAAP Analysis. https://ivypanda.com/essays/writing-article-craap-analysis/

"Writing Article: CRAAP Analysis." IvyPanda , 15 May 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/writing-article-craap-analysis/.

IvyPanda . (2023) 'Writing Article: CRAAP Analysis'. 15 May.

IvyPanda . 2023. "Writing Article: CRAAP Analysis." May 15, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/writing-article-craap-analysis/.

1. IvyPanda . "Writing Article: CRAAP Analysis." May 15, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/writing-article-craap-analysis/.

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IvyPanda . "Writing Article: CRAAP Analysis." May 15, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/writing-article-craap-analysis/.

• How it works

How to Apply the CRAAP Test

Published by Owen Ingram at September 5th, 2023 , Revised On September 5, 2023

In a digital age that’s rife with information, distinguishing between genuine, useful sources and those that are inaccurate or even deceptive has become an indispensable skill. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or simply someone navigating the vast ocean of online information, you must be equipped to discern the reliability of the sources you encounter.

The CRAAP Test is a straightforward checklist used to evaluate the sources ’ credibility and relevance. Developed by the Meriam Library at California State University, Chico, CRAAP stands for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose.

What is the CRAAP Test?

The CRAAP Test is an acronym used as a checklist to help individuals evaluate the credibility and relevance of sources, especially in academic or research contexts. CRAAP stands for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose. Each of these criteria can help a researcher determine if a source is trustworthy and suitable for their needs.

The CRAAP Test was developed by librarians at California State University, Chico, as a tool for their students. However, its usefulness quickly spread, and it has since been adopted and adapted by many institutions worldwide as a straightforward method to evaluate sources critically .

Given the vast amount of information available on the internet, having a quick checklist like the CRAAP Test can help users discern high-quality sources from those that may be misleading, outdated, or biased.

What Does CRAAP Stand For?

An acronym for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose, the CRAAP Test offers a structured approach to evaluate the quality and credibility when working with a source of information.

Currency: The Timeliness of the Information

Currency refers to how recent the information is. In rapidly evolving fields like technology or medicine, several years old information can become obsolete.

Questions to Ask

• When was the information published or last updated?
• Are there newer sources or findings that might provide updated perspectives?
• Does your research topic require the latest information, or are older sources suitable?

Why It Matters

The pace at which new information is produced today is staggering. While some topics, like historical analyses, might be served well by older sources, others, especially in the sciences, require the most up-to-date data. Ensuring that your sources are current minimises the risk of relaying outdated or incorrect information.

Relevance: The Importance of the Information for Your Needs

Relevance considers whether the information meets your research or informational needs.

• Does the information relate directly to your topic or research question ?
• Who is the intended audience? Is it too basic or advanced for your needs?
• Are there other sources that might be more applicable or provide a better perspective?

Why it Matters

A source might be highly credible and timely, but if it does not directly address your topic or answer your questions, it might not be suitable for your purposes. Always ensure that the information you include is directly relevant to your research or informational needs.

Authority: The Source of the Information

Authority pertains to the credentials of the author, publisher, or source of the information. It is vital to ensure that a trustworthy and knowledgeable source provides the information.

• Who is the author, publisher, or source of the information? What are their credentials?
• Is the source backed by a reputable institution or organisation?
• Are there contact details provided for further verification?

The credibility of any piece of information is closely tied to the qualifications and reputation of its source. Academic articles, for instance, undergo rigorous peer review, ensuring that experts in the field have vetted the information. Recognising and relying on authoritative sources bolsters the reliability of your own research or conclusions .

The research done by our experts have:

• Precision and Clarity
• Zero Plagiarism
• Authentic Sources

Accuracy: The Reliability, Truthfulness, and Correctness of the Content

Accuracy ensures that the information presented is reliable, truthful, and free from errors.

Questions to Ask:

• Where does the information come from? Are there references or citations?
• Has the information been peer-reviewed or edited?
• Are there glaring errors, typos, or inconsistencies in the content?

Information that is riddled with errors, whether factual, grammatical, or otherwise, loses its credibility. Verifying the accuracy of your sources ensures that your own work maintains a standard of reliability and truthfulness.

Purpose: The Reason the Information Exists

Purpose deals with the motivations behind the information. It assesses whether the content is meant to inform, persuade, entertain, or sell.

• Why was this information produced?
• Is there an apparent bias or slant? Is the author trying to sell something or advocate for a particular perspective?
• Who is funding the study or publication, and might they have an influencing stake in the information?

Even the most accurate and timely information can be tainted by biases or ulterior motives. Understanding the purpose behind information helps in assessing its objectivity and reliability.

Examples of the CRAAP Test

Here is a breakdown with examples for each criterion:

Question: When was the information published or last updated?

Example: A webpage discussing the side effects of a medication that was last updated in 1998 might not have the most current information, especially if there have been new findings or updates about that medication in more recent years.

Question : Does the information meet your needs? Is it appropriate for your audience or research?

Example : If you’re researching academic information about climate change, a basic children’s website about the topic might not be relevant. On the other hand, peer-reviewed articles or reports from recognised scientific organisations would be more appropriate.

Question : Who is the author or publisher? What are their credentials? Are they a reputable source?

Example : An article about brain surgery written by a certified neurosurgeon or from a recognised medical institution would have more authority than one written by someone without medical qualifications.

Question : Is the information supported by evidence? Can you verify the information from another source?

Example : If a webpage makes a claim that “90% of people have a certain condition” but provides no source or reference for that statistic, its accuracy is questionable.

Question : Why was the information created? Is it biased or objective? Is the author/publisher trying to sell something or persuade you?

Example : A website run by a company that sells vitamin supplements might publish articles emphasising the importance of taking many different supplements. This could be biased information aimed at promoting their products.

Examples of CRAAP Test Using Different Sources

Here are examples of how you might apply the CRAAP Test to different types of sources:

• Currency : Is the book’s publication date recent enough for your topic? Has a newer edition been released?
• Relevance : Does the content of the book relate directly to your topic? Is the book written at the right level (not too elementary or advanced)?
• Authority : Who is the author/publisher? Are they respected in the field? What are their credentials?
• Accuracy : Is the information well-researched and cited? Are there factual errors or biased views?
• Purpose : Why was the book written? To inform, entertain, persuade?
• A textbook on cellular biology from 1998 might not be as current as needed for the latest research, even if the author is a respected expert.

Journal Articles

• Currency : When was the article published? Is it the latest research on the topic?
• Relevance : Does the article address your research question directly?
• Authority : Who are the authors? What are their affiliations and credentials? Is the journal peer-reviewed?
• Accuracy : Are the research methods sound? Are the results and conclusions supported by evidence?
• Purpose : What is the intent of the research? Is there any evident bias?
• A peer-reviewed article from a reputable journal in 2023 about climate change might be both current and authoritative.

News Articles

• Currency : How recent is the news? Does the event or issue still matter?
• Relevance : Does the news article offer depth on the topic you’re researching?
• Authority : Which publication produced it? Is the journalist experienced in the topic area?
• Accuracy : Are multiple sources used? Is the information verifiable?
• Purpose : Is the article news reporting, an opinion piece, or an advertisement?
• An article from a tabloid in 2019 about a celebrity scandal may not be relevant or authoritative for a   research paper on media ethics.

Web Sources

• Currency : When was the last update? Are the links still functional?
• Relevance : Is the information detailed and pertinent to your topic?
• Authority : Who hosts the website? Are they an expert or a recognised organisation in the field?
• Accuracy : Is the information well-sourced and free from errors? Can the information be corroborated elsewhere?
• Purpose : Why was this content posted online? To inform, sell, entertain, or persuade?
• A personal blog post from 2010 about the dangers of vaccines, filled with anecdotes but no scientific references, would score poorly on accuracy and authority.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is craap test.

The CRAAP Test is a set of criteria used to evaluate the credibility and reliability of information sources. It stands for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose. By assessing each of these elements, users can determine the trustworthiness and relevance of a particular source for their research or informational needs.

How do you take a Craap test?

To take the CRAAP Test, evaluate a source based on five criteria:

• Currency: How recent is the information?
• Relevance: Does it relate to your topic or answer your question?
• Authority: Who is the author or publisher?
• Accuracy: Is the information correct and well-sourced?
• Purpose: Why was it created? Bias or agenda?

Rate each criterion to determine the source’s overall reliability.

What does CRAAP identify to evaluate sources?

The CRAAP Test identifies five criteria to evaluate sources:

• Currency: Timeliness of the information.
• Relevance: Pertinence to the topic at hand.
• Authority: Source’s expertise or credibility.
• Accuracy: Truthfulness and correctness of the information.
• Purpose: Reason the information was produced, checking for potential bias.

Why is the CRAAP Test used?

The CRAAP Test is used to assess the credibility and reliability of information sources. In an age of information overload and potential misinformation, it offers a structured approach to discern trustworthy content. Users can make informed decisions about incorporating sources into research or projects by examining Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose.

What is a good CRAAP Test score?

A good CRAAP Test score indicates a source is credible and reliable. While there’s no standardised numerical score, a highly rated source in Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose is considered trustworthy. It is essential to weigh each criterion based on the research context and one’s informational needs.

You May Also Like

A secondary source refers to any material that interprets, analyses, or reviews information originally presented elsewhere. Unlike primary sources, which offer direct evidence or first-hand testimony, secondary sources work on those original materials, offering commentary, critiques, and perspectives.

From academic research to personal blogs, the bedrock of trust and credibility is often established by one simple act: source citing. Whether we are constructing a thesis for a graduate program or debunking a myth on a personal blog, providing the origins of our information bolsters our arguments and pays homage to the original creators of that knowledge.

A tertiary source is an information source that compiles, analyses, and synthesises both primary and secondary sources.

USEFUL LINKS

LEARNING RESOURCES

COMPANY DETAILS

• How It Works

Evaluating Sources

Craap analysis.

One excellent tool to examine both the suitability and trustworthiness of a source is the CRAAP method, which stands for:

• C urrency: the timeliness of the information
• R elevance: the importance of the information for your needs
• A uthority: the source of the information
• A ccuracy: the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the information
• P urpose: the reason the information exists

The following video offers a good explanation of these points of analysis.

Currency: The Timeliness of the Information

Determining when an item of information was published or produced is an aspect of evaluating information. The date the information was published or produced tells you how current it is or how relevant it is to the topic you are researching. For example, if you were writing a research paper on the survival of passengers in car crashes, you would need the most recent information on automobile crash tests, structural strength of materials, car wreck mortality statistics, etc. If, on the other hand, you were writing a research paper on the feelings of college students about the Vietnam War during the1960s, you would need information written in the 1960s by college students (primary sources) as well as materials written since then about college students in the 1960s (secondary sources). Key indicators of the currency of the information are:

• date of copyright
• date of publication
• date of revision or edition
• dates of sources cited
• date of patent or trademark

Relevance: The Importance of the Information for Your Needs

When you read through your source, consider how the source will effectively support your argument and how you can use the source in your research essay. You should also consider whether the source provides sufficient coverage of the topic. Information sources with broad, shallow coverage mean that you need to find other sources of information to obtain adequate details about your topic. Information sources with a very narrow focus or a distinct bias mean that you need to find additional sources to obtain the information on other aspects of your topic. Some questions to consider are:

• Does the information relate to my topic, research question, or angle in my working thesis?
• Who is the source’s intended audience?
• Is the information at an appropriate level (e.g., not too simple or advanced) for my needs?
• Did I look at a variety of sources before deciding to use this one?

Authority: The Source of the Information

Determining the knowledge and expertise of the author is an important aspect of evaluating the reliability of information. Anyone can make an assertion or a statement about some thing, event, or idea, but only someone who knows or understands what that thing, event, or idea is can make a reasonably reliable assertion about it. Some external indications of expertise are:

• a formal academic degree in a subject area
• professional or work-related experience, e.g., businessmen, government agency personnel, sports figures, etc. have expertise in their areas of work
• active involvement in a subject or organization by serious amateurs who spend substantial amounts of personal time researching and studying that subject area
• organizations, agencies, institutions, corporations with active involvement or work in a particular subject area.

Accuracy: The Reliability, Truthfulness, and Correctness of the Information

Establishing the accuracy, or relative accuracy, of information is an important part of evaluating the reliability of information. It is easier to establish the accuracy of facts than it is opinions, interpretations, or ideas. The more an idea, opinion, or other piece of information varies from the accepted point of view on a particular topic, the harder it is to establish its accuracy. An important aspect of accuracy is the intellectual integrity of the item:

• Are the sources appropriately cited in the text and listed in the references?
• Are quotations cited correctly and in context? Out-of-context quotations can be misleading and sometimes completely erroneous.
• Are there exaggerations, omissions, or errors? These are difficulty to identify if you use only one source of information, so always use several different sources of information. Analyzing what different sources say about a topic is one way to determine exaggerations, omissions, and errors.

In addition to errors of fact and integrity, you need to watch for errors of logic. Errors of logic occur primarily in the presentation of conclusions, opinions, interpretations, editorials, ideas, etc. Some indications that information is accurate are:

• the same information can be found in other reliable sources
• the experiment can be replicated and returns the same results
• the documentation provided in support of the information is substantive
• the sources used for documentation are generally reliable
• the author of the information is known to have expertise on that subject
• the presentation is free from logical fallacies or errors
• quotations are “in context” so that the intended meaning of the information quoted is retained
• quotations, paraphrases, and summaries are correctly cited

Some indications that information may not be accurate are:

• facts cannot be verified or are contradicted in other sources
• sources used are known to be unreliable or highly biased
• bibliography of sources used is inadequate or non-existent
• quotations are taken out of context and given a different meaning
• presence of one or more logical fallacies
• authority cited is another part of the same organization

Purpose: The Reason the Information Exists

Identifying the intended audience of the information and identifying the author’s purpose are other important aspects of evaluating information. The intended audience of an item generally determines the style of presentation, the level of technical detail, and the depth of coverage. Determining the intended audience of a particular piece of information will help you decide whether or not the information is too basic, too technical, too general, or just right for your needs. The intended audience can also indicate the potential reliability of the item because some audiences require more documentation than others. For example, items produced for scholarly or professional audiences are generally produced by experts and go through a peer review process. Items produced for the mass market frequently are not produced by experts and generally do not go through an evaluation process. Some indications of the intended audience are:

• highly technical language, complex analysis, very sophisticated/technical tools can indicate a technical, professional, or scholarly audience
• how-to information or current practices in “X” are frequently written by experts for practitioners in that field
• substantive and serious presentations of a topic with not too much technical language are generally written for the educated lay audience
• popular language, fairly simple presentations of a topic, with little or no analysis, can indicate a general or popular audience
• bibliographies, especially long bibliographies, are generally compiled by and for those doing research on that topic

You should also consider the author’s purpose. Is the information intended to inform or persuade? Does the author intend to present a bias? While it is unlikely that anything humans do is ever absolutely objective, it is important to establish that the information you intend to use is reasonably objective, or if it is not, to establish exactly what the point of view or bias is. There are times when information expressing a particular point of view or bias is useful, but you must use it consciously. You must know what the point of view is and why that point of view is important to your project.

The CRAAP Test

Review the steps of the CRAAP method and practice evaluating sources in this tutorial from Eastern Michigan University.

Be sure to complete the practice exercises at the end of the tutorial. (You may also access the tutorial and activity in a  text format .)

• CRAAP Analysis. Revision and adaptation of the page CRAAP Analysis at https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-englishcomposition1/chapter/video-evaluating-sources/ which is a revision and adaptation of the sources listed below. Authored by : Susan Oaks. Provided by : Empire State College, SUNY OER Services. Project : College Writing. License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
• CRAAP Analysis. Provided by : Lumen Learning. Located at : https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-englishcomposition1/chapter/video-evaluating-sources/ . Project : English Composition I. License : CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
• Evaluating Sources. Provided by : Virginia Tech. Located at : https://guides.lib.vt.edu/RLCL1004/eval . Project : University Libraries Information Skills Modules. License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
• Evaluating Information. Provided by : The University of Rhode Island. Located at : http://uri.libguides.com/start/craap . License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
• CRAAP Tutorial. Authored by : Bill Marino. Provided by : Eastern Michigan University. Located at : http://www.emich.edu/library/help/reliability/ . License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
• video Evaluating Information using the CRAAP Test. Authored by : jwdenver. Provided by : Johnson & Wales University. Located at : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAWhE0mj69I . License : Other . License Terms : Standard YouTube License

Website Research: Evaluating Example Websites

• Evaluating Example Websites
• Wikipedia References
• Google Scholar
• Open Educational Resources (OER)

Website Examples

To practice evaluating websites you find, let's apply the CRAAP tests to the sites below.  

• First, let's take a look at two spoof websites.  They both have obvious problems, but trying out the CRAAP test on them will help you in evaluating other websites that may fool you into believing they are credible sources.
• Second, try comparing information on a topic from three different websites to see which would be the best to use in an academic research paper.  Remember to check the footers, top menus, and the About sections of each page!

SPOOF WEBSITE 1

This site is a fairly obvious joke - octopi are sea animals and do not live in trees (in the Pacific Northwest or elsewhere).  However, the site is very content-rich and well-organized.  If the subject were the (not real) endangered Pacific Northwest Pine Owl, would you be able to tell the site was a fake?

CRAAP Test:

• CURRENCY -  looking at the footer tells us the site was created in 1998, and last updated in May of 2015
• RELEVANCE - the audience appears to be adults interested in preserving endangered species; the presence of an online store selling merchandise gives it the appearance of an organization
• AUTHORITY - the site author is someone named Lyle Zapato, whose name links to a personal website with no scientific credentials; it is clearly stated that "the site is not associated with any school or educational organization"; and the only contact information is the author's blog
• ACCURACY - most of the sources from this site link back to the author's blog, and many of the others lead to .net, .org, or .com websites written in the same tone as this
• PURPOSE - the content makes it clear that this website exists to entertain

Conclusion - this is NOT a valid website to use in scholarly research!

Apply the CRAAP Test - Nutrition Resources

Apply the CRAAP test to the following websites - which would you use in an academic research paper?  Which would you not use?

• The Nutrition Source
• ChooseMyPlate
• NutritionData

SPOOF WEBSITE 2

This site is a little more tricky; it's an example of a website with entirely fake information, but designed to look as if it's legit.  A quick glance at the home page makes it seem like any other research hospital, but look again; the activities of this "medical center" don't bear close examination.

• CURRENCY - there is no copyright date apparent on the website
• RELEVANCE - the content appears to be written for potential patients
• AUTHORITY - the website relies on its self-proclaimed research hospital status as its authority; it is affiliated with a medical school that, according to Google, doesn't exist; and the only contact information is an address that Google Maps cannot find, and an online form that doesn't state to whom it is sent
• ACCURACY - though it appears unbiased with accurate spelling and grammar, all the information about the hospital, its staff and its research is stated without any references at all; many of the links are not functioning
• PURPOSE - the site's purpose appears to highlight its so-called medical breakthroughs, but the content reveals this site to be an entertaining hoax
• << Previous: Fake News
• Next: Wikipedia References >>
• Last Updated: May 28, 2021 3:43 PM
• URL: https://library.famu.edu/websiteresearch

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

31 CRAAP Test: An In Class Exercise in Evaluating Sources

CRAAP Test: Link

In your small groups, use the CRAAP test sheet we just reviewed to evaluate the following two websites about the pink tax:

  Website #1 : “The Pink Tax: Joint Economic Committee”

https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/8a42df04-8b6d-4949-b20b-6f40a326db9e/the-pink-tax—how-gender-based-pricing-hurts-women-s-buying-power.pdf Links to an external site.

Website #2: “ The Myth of the Pink Tax”  https://steemit.com/economics/@daniscib/thepinktaxmyth-b0elfzuekr Links to an external site.

Rate each of the categories in CRAAP for this website. 1=bad, 2=ok, 3=good. Then give a reason why you gave it that rating.

When you get into your groups, please

Introduce yourselves to each other.

Decide on one or two people to speak for the group.

You have 15 minutes to evaluate both sites.

Afterward, we will reconvene as a whole class and the spokesperson(s) will share your group’s results.

Writing for Community Change: An Instructor Guide Copyright © 2024 by Lewis-Clark State College is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the craap test.

The CRAAP test is an acronym to help you evaluate the credibility of a source you are considering using. It is an important component of information literacy .

The CRAAP test has five main components:

• Currency: Is the source up to date?
• Relevance: Is the source relevant to your research?
• Authority: Where is the source published? Who is the author? Are they considered reputable and trustworthy in their field?
• Accuracy: Is the source supported by evidence? Are the claims cited correctly?
• Purpose: What was the motive behind publishing this source?

Frequently asked questions: Working with sources

Synthesizing sources means comparing and contrasting the work of other scholars to provide new insights.

It involves analyzing and interpreting the points of agreement and disagreement among sources.

You might synthesize sources in your literature review to give an overview of the field of research or throughout your paper when you want to contribute something new to existing research.

You can find sources online using databases and search engines like Google Scholar . Use Boolean operators or advanced search functions to narrow or expand your search.

For print sources, you can use your institution’s library database. This will allow you to explore the library’s catalog and to search relevant keywords.

Lateral reading is the act of evaluating the credibility of a source by comparing it with other sources. This allows you to:

• Verify evidence
• Contextualize information
• Find potential weaknesses

As you cannot possibly read every source related to your topic, it’s important to evaluate sources to assess their relevance. Use preliminary evaluation to determine whether a source is worth examining in more depth.

This involves:

• Reading abstracts , prefaces, introductions , and conclusions
• Looking at the table of contents to determine the scope of the work
• Consulting the index for key terms or the names of important scholars

An abstract concisely explains all the key points of an academic text such as a thesis , dissertation or journal article. It should summarize the whole text, not just introduce it.

An abstract is a type of summary , but summaries are also written elsewhere in academic writing . For example, you might summarize a source in a paper , in a literature review , or as a standalone assignment.

All can be done within seconds with our free text summarizer .

You might have to write a summary of a source:

• As a stand-alone assignment to prove you understand the material
• For your own use, to keep notes on your reading
• To provide an overview of other researchers’ work in a literature review
• In a paper , to summarize or introduce a relevant study

You can assess information and arguments critically by asking certain questions about the source. You can use the CRAAP test , focusing on the currency , relevance , authority , accuracy , and purpose of a source of information.

Ask questions such as:

• Who is the author? Are they an expert?
• Why did the author publish it? What is their motivation?
• How do they make their argument? Is it backed up by evidence?

Critical thinking skills include the ability to:

• Identify credible sources
• Evaluate and respond to arguments
• Assess alternative viewpoints
• Test hypotheses against relevant criteria

Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.

Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.

It is important to find credible sources and use those that you can be sure are sufficiently scholarly .

• Consult your institute’s library to find out what books, journals, research databases, and other types of sources they provide access to.
• Look for books published by respected academic publishing houses and university presses, as these are typically considered trustworthy sources.
• Look for journals that use a peer review process. This means that experts in the field assess the quality and credibility of an article before it is published.

In academic writing, the sources you cite should be credible and scholarly. Some of the main types of sources used are:

• Academic journals: These are the most up-to-date sources in academia. They are published more frequently than books and provide cutting-edge research.
• Books: These are great sources to use, as they are typically written by experts and provide an extensive overview and analysis of a specific topic.

Scholarly sources are written by experts in their field and are typically subjected to peer review . They are intended for a scholarly audience, include a full bibliography, and use scholarly or technical language. For these reasons, they are typically considered credible sources .

Popular sources like magazines and news articles are typically written by journalists. These types of sources usually don’t include a bibliography and are written for a popular, rather than academic, audience. They are not always reliable and may be written from a biased or uninformed perspective, but they can still be cited in some contexts.

There are many types of sources commonly used in research. These include:

• Journal articles
• Encyclopedias

You’ll likely use a variety of these sources throughout the research process , and the kinds of sources you use will depend on your research topic and goals.

You usually shouldn’t cite tertiary sources as evidence in your research paper, but you can use them in the beginning stages of the research process to:

• Establish background information
• Identify relevant keywords and terms
• Familiarize yourself with current debates in your field

Use tertiary sources in your preliminary research to find relevant primary and secondary sources that you will engage with in more depth during the writing process .

What constitutes a tertiary source depends on your research question and how you use the source.

To determine whether a source is tertiary, ask:

• Am I examining the source itself, or am I using it for background information?
• Does the source provide original information ( primary ) or analyze information from other sources ( secondary )? Or does it consolidate information from other sources (tertiary)?

Primary sources provide direct evidence about your research topic (photographs, personal letters, etc.).

Secondary sources interpret and comment on information from primary sources (academic books, journal articles, etc.).

Tertiary sources are reference works that identify and provide background information on primary and secondary sources . They do not provide original insights or analysis.

A tertiary source may list, summarize , or index primary and secondary sources or provide general information from a variety of sources. But it does not provide original interpretations or analysis.

Some examples of tertiary sources include:

• Bibliographies
• Dictionaries

It can sometimes be hard to distinguish accurate from inaccurate sources , especially online. Published articles are not always credible and can reflect a biased viewpoint without providing evidence to support their conclusions.

Information literacy is important because it helps you to be aware of such unreliable content and to evaluate sources effectively, both in an academic context and more generally.

Information literacy refers to a broad range of skills, including the ability to find, evaluate, and use sources of information effectively.

Being information literate means that you:

• Know how to find credible sources
• Use relevant sources to inform your research
• Understand what constitutes plagiarism
• Know how to cite your sources correctly

When searching for sources in databases, think of specific keywords that are relevant to your topic , and consider variations on them or synonyms that might be relevant.

Once you have a clear idea of your research parameters and key terms, choose a database that is relevant to your research (e.g., Medline, JSTOR, Project MUSE).

Find out if the database has a “subject search” option. This can help to refine your search. Use Boolean operators to combine your keywords, exclude specific search terms, and search exact phrases to find the most relevant sources.

Proximity operators are specific words used alongside your chosen keywords that let you specify the proximity of one keyword in relation to another.

The most common proximity operators include NEAR ( N x ), WITHIN ( W x ), and SENTENCE .

Each proximity operator has a unique function. For example, N x allows you to find sources that contain the specified keywords within a set number of words ( x ) of each other.

Boolean operators are specific words and symbols that you can use to expand or narrow your search parameters when using a database or search engine.

The most common Boolean operators are AND , OR , NOT or AND NOT , quotation marks “” , parentheses () , and asterisks * .

Each Boolean operator has a unique function. For example, the Boolean operator AND will provide search results containing both/all of your keywords.

A Boolean search uses specific words and symbols known as Boolean operators (e.g., AND , OR ) alongside keywords to limit or expand search results. Boolean searches allow you to:

• Prioritize keywords
• Exclude keywords
• Search exact keywords
• Search variations of your keywords

To avoid plagiarism when summarizing an article or other source, follow these two rules:

• Write the summary entirely in your own words by paraphrasing the author’s ideas.
• Cite the source with an in-text citation and a full reference so your reader can easily find the original text.

A summary is always much shorter than the original text. The length of a summary can range from just a few sentences to several paragraphs; it depends on the length of the article you’re summarizing, and on the purpose of the summary.

A summary is a short overview of the main points of an article or other source, written entirely in your own words. Want to make your life super easy? Try our free text summarizer today!

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Our team helps students graduate by offering:

• A world-class citation generator
• Plagiarism Checker software powered by Turnitin
• Innovative Citation Checker software
• Professional proofreading services
• Over 300 helpful articles about academic writing, citing sources, plagiarism, and more

Scribbr specializes in editing study-related documents . We proofread:

• PhD dissertations
• Research proposals
• Personal statements
• Admission essays
• Motivation letters
• Reflection papers
• Capstone projects

Scribbr’s Plagiarism Checker is powered by elements of Turnitin’s Similarity Checker , namely the plagiarism detection software and the Internet Archive and Premium Scholarly Publications content databases .

The add-on AI detector is powered by Scribbr’s proprietary software.

The Scribbr Citation Generator is developed using the open-source Citation Style Language (CSL) project and Frank Bennett’s citeproc-js . It’s the same technology used by dozens of other popular citation tools, including Mendeley and Zotero.

You can find all the citation styles and locales used in the Scribbr Citation Generator in our publicly accessible repository on Github .