Resource Audit Organizer
Resource Audit Organizer
CRAAP Test Critical Evaluation Framework
Part 1: C • R • A
Page 1 of 2
Researcher:
Date:
Research Topic / Thesis:
Source Identification
Medium: Web Journal Book News Report
Title of Work:
Pub. / Update Date:
Author / Organization:
Publishing Site / Press:
Direct URL or DOI:
C Currency & Credibility
When was it published/updated, and is it current enough for your topic?
Audit Criteria
Clear publication, copyright, or latest update date is listed
Content is current enough for the pace of change in this field
Links, cited data, and referenced studies are active/intact
Information has not been superseded by subsequent findings
Evidence & Timeline Assessment
Note dates discovered and why this publication timeline is or isn't acceptable:
Currency Rating:
Timely Acceptable Outdated
R Relevance & Scope
Does this information directly satisfy your specific research need?
Audit Criteria
Content explicitly relates to your thesis or research question
Depth is appropriate (neither too elementary nor overly dense)
Target audience matches scholarly/academic expectations
You would be proud to cite this in your bibliography
Connection to Research Question
State which part of your argument this supports and what gap it fills:
Relevance Rating:
Essential Supplementary Tangential
A Authority & Credentials
Who is the creator and what qualifies them to write on this topic?
Audit Criteria
Author is identified with verifiable credentials or degrees
Publisher is an established university, journal, or recognized body
Domain suffix is reputable (.edu, .gov, curated research .org)
Contact info or institutional affiliation is openly disclosed
Author Qualifications & Backing
Record the author's expertise, organization standing, or lack thereof:
Authority Rating:
Renowned Competent Unverified
Continue on Page 2 for Accuracy (A), Purpose & Bias (P), and the Final CRAAP Verdict.
Resource Audit Dossier
Part 2: CRAAP Rigor • Accuracy, Purpose & Final Verdict
Page 2 of 2
A Accuracy & Verification
Where does the info come from, and can claims be verified?
Audit Criteria
Claims are supported by clear evidence, data, or source citations
Information is verified or corroborated by other independent sources
Research underwent formal peer review or editorial fact-checking
Free from spelling, grammar, typographical, or logic errors
Corroboration & Fact-Checking
Name 1 corroborating source or specific statistic verified:
Accuracy Rating:
Verified Solid Mixed / Unclear Inaccurate
P Purpose & Objectivity
What is the intent of the information, and is bias present?
Primary Intent:
Inform/Teach Persuade Sell / Sponsor Entertain
Point of view appears objective, reasoned, and balanced
Multiple perspectives or counterarguments are fairly treated
Commercial sponsors, political backing, or affiliations are disclosed
Bias, Tone & Motivation Analysis
Detect loaded language, emotional appeal, or deliberate omissions:
Purpose / Bias Rating:
Objective Disclosed Stance Heavy Bias
CRAAP Scorecard & Final Verdict
Synthesis Matrix
[ C ] Currency
___ / 5
[ R ] Relevance
___ / 5
[ A ] Authority
___ / 5
[ A ] Accuracy
___ / 5
[ P ] Purpose
___ / 5
Green: Core Source
Strong across all CRAAP areas. High authority and rigor; cite as key evidence.
Yellow: Contextual
Notable slant or specific date. Use only for specific perspective with explicit attribution.
Red: Discard
Fails authority, accuracy, or purpose checks. Exclude from scholarly work.
Strategic Research Justification:
How will you integrate this resource into your bibliography, or why must it be discarded?
