Need help determining a resource's credibility? Use the TRAAP(S) test!
| Questions to Consider | |
| Timeliness & Truth |
- How old is the source? - Have the source's findings been proven inaccurate? - Does the source reflect the time period you are investigating? - Are there credible references that support the claims? |
| Relevance |
- Does this resource relate to the topic you are investigating? And if so, how does it relate? |
| Authority |
- Who produced this resource? - What are the qualifications of the entity that produced this resource? |
| Audience |
- Who was this resource produced for? / Who benefits or is harmed by this resource being produced and/or share? - What thought, emotion, or action does the creator want to impart on the user? - What is the purpose of the resource's production/sharing -- entertainment? research? learning? persuasion? Understanding this element will help you decipher bias. |
| Perspective |
- Do the responsible entities have financial, social, or political ties that may impact their ability to speak objectively about the topic? (Bias) - Does the resource represent a multitude of perspectives/schools of thought on the topic? - Does the resource contain highly subjective/emotional language? |
| Site Structure and Syntax (Websites & Digital Content) |
- Check the URL to determine if the resource was created by a commercial entity, the government, or some other entity. - Read content on the same topic from another site to determine information accuracy. - Check for advertisements to help determine those with interest in the information being produced and/or shared? |
This table represents a modified version of the CRAAP test. The TRAAP Test is modified from The CRAAP Test, created by Sarah Blakeslee and the librarians at California State University's Meriam Library in 2004.
