CRAAP Test: Evaluate Sources for Nursing Papers

In academic nursing, the credibility of a source can determine the strength of your argument, the validity of your findings, and the quality of care that results from applying evidence-based knowledge. To ensure you’re using high-quality research, nursing students are encouraged to apply the CRAAP Test — a structured evaluation tool created by librarians at California State University, Chico, especially Sarah Blakeslee and her colleagues at Meriam Library.

Whether you’re writing a nursing research paper, conducting a literature review, or critiquing a journal article, applying the CRAAP Test helps you identify trustworthy, scholarly sources and avoid misleading information, fake news, and biased or outdated materials. It also supports your development of information literacy, a critical skill for academic and clinical success.

What Is the CRAAP Test?

The CRAAP Test is an acronym that helps students and researchers evaluate sources for credibility, quality, and relevance. Each letter represents a distinct criterion to consider when assessing an information source:

This evaluation framework was created by Sarah Blakeslee and other librarians at California State University’s Meriam Library. The test has become a standard tool in information literacy education across universities.

• Currency
• Relevance
• Authority
• Accuracy
• Purpose

This test was developed as a quick but effective tool to guide students through the evaluation process, particularly in library research and academic writing. Many universities, including those with strong nursing programs, include CRAAP Test worksheets, handouts, and research guides in their LibGuides and online content platforms.

Let’s explore each part of the CRAAP Test in detail, with examples tailored to nursing.

C – Currency: Is the Information Up to Date?

Why It Matters in Nursing

Nursing is an evidence-based profession. Clinical protocols change, drug recommendations are updated, and health policies evolve. Using outdated information in a nursing research paper can lead to inaccurate conclusions and could even perpetuate obsolete or harmful practices.

How to Apply the Currency Criterion

When you’re reviewing a source, ask:

• When was the information published or last updated?
• Has new research been published since then?
• For online sources: Are the hyperlinks working? Has the page been maintained?

🩺 Example: You’re researching COVID-19 infection control practices. A 2020 article might offer relevant context, but for cutting-edge research, you’d want journal articles or clinical guidelines from 2023 or later.

In most cases, especially in nursing and health sciences, you should aim to use sources published within the last 5 years, unless you’re using them for historical comparison or theoretical context.

R – Relevance: Does the Source Meet Your Research Needs?

Understanding Relevance in Context

A source can be current and well-written, but still not relevant to your topic or research question. This criterion helps you judge whether the content directly supports your paper’s goals.

Evaluating for Relevance

• Does the source directly relate to your research topic?
• Is it appropriate for your academic level?
• Who is the intended audience — researchers, practitioners, or the general public?
• Would you be comfortable citing it in a nursing term paper or thesis?

🩺 Example: You’re writing about wound care in geriatric patients. A general article on aging is less relevant than a peer-reviewed clinical trial testing a new dressing technique in older adults.

Relevance also includes the depth of coverage. If a source offers only a superficial overview, it may not be sufficient for academic writing, even if it’s on-topic.

A – Authority: Who Created the Content?

Why Authority Matters

In nursing research, your sources should come from experts in the field. The credibility of a source is often determined by who wrote it and where it was published.

Questions to Assess Authority

• Who is the author or organization?
• What are their academic qualifications or professional affiliations?
• Has the author published other peer-reviewed work?
• Is the publisher a university press, scholarly journal, or professional association?

🩺 Example: A research article in the Journal of Advanced Nursing authored by a PhD nurse researcher carries more authority than a blog post written by a freelance writer.

For websites, check the “About Us” or table of contents page to learn more about the organization behind the content. If this information is missing, that’s a red flag.

A – Accuracy: Is the Information Supported by Evidence?

Distinguishing Fact from Opinion

This part of the CRAAP Test evaluates whether the information is factually correct, evidence-based, and verifiable. It also checks for signs of misinformation or disinformation, which is increasingly important with the rise of AI content generators and biased online platforms.

Evaluating for Accuracy

• Is the information supported by data, citations, or primary sources?
• Has the content undergone peer review?
• Are there spelling, grammar, or formatting issues?
• Can the information be verified by checking other credible sources?

🩺 Example: A systematic review that references multiple RCTs and follows PRISMA guidelines is more accurate than a news article summarizing research without citations.

If you’re ever unsure, ask a librarian at your institution to help you verify a source’s accuracy.

P – Purpose: Why Was the Source Created?

Recognizing Bias and Intent

Understanding the purpose of a source helps you detect bias, hidden agendas, and conflicts of interest. A source that tries to sell you something or promote an ideology may not be suitable for nursing research.

Questions to Ask

• Is the purpose to inform, persuade, sell, or entertain?
• Is the language objective, or does it use emotional appeals?
• Does the author or publisher benefit financially or politically from the content?

🩺 Example: A health supplement website citing its own “research” is not a reliable source. But a scholarly source from the CDC or WHO has the purpose of informing public health policy, making it more credible.

Avoid using sources that do not clearly stand behind their information or that have a vested interest in persuading readers.

CRAAP Test Checklist

Use this comprehensive checklist when applying the CRAAP test to evaluate sources for your nursing research paper:

Currency of a Source Checklist:

• Publication date is appropriate for your topic
• Information reflects current practices in nursing
• No outdated treatment recommendations
• Recent enough to be considered reliable information

Relevance Checklist:

• Directly relates to your research question
• Appropriate academic level for your assignment
• Provides sufficient detail for scholarly work
• Matches your specific nursing specialty or focus area

Authority Checklist:

• Author has credentials in nursing, medicine, or healthcare
• Published by reputable academic or medical institution
• Author’s expertise matches the topic area
• No obvious conflicts of interest

Accuracy Checklist:

• Information supported by credible evidence
• Proper citations and references included
• Facts can be verified through other trustworthy sources
• No obvious errors in content or presentation

Purpose Checklist:

• Clear educational or research intent
• Balanced presentation of information
• Not primarily commercial or promotional
• Acknowledges limitations and alternative perspectives

How to Use the CRAAP Test for a Nursing Research Paper

When conducting research, you will likely encounter a wide range of sources: journal articles, news pieces, blog posts, and even AI-generated summaries. Use the CRAAP Test to filter and refine your source list.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Identify your research question.
   → E.g., “How does nurse-patient communication affect patient satisfaction in ICUs?”
2. Gather potential sources from databases like:

• PubMed
• CINAHL
• Cochrane Library
• Your institution’s LibGuides

1. Apply the CRAAP Test to each source. Create a spreadsheet or checklist where you rate each criterion on a 1–10 scale.
2. Retain only high-scoring sources for use in your nursing paper.

💡 Pro Tip: Download your school’s CRAAP Test handout or worksheet. Many institutional libraries provide these tools in their research guides.

Limitations of the CRAAP Test

While effective, the CRAAP Test has limitations and shouldn’t be used in isolation:

• It doesn’t assess research methodology (e.g., sample size, bias in design).
• It may give too much weight to authority even when newer, less-known sources offer better data.
• It doesn’t evaluate statistical validity, which is crucial in nursing research.
• It is subjective — two students might rate the same source differently.
• It cannot detect bias in peer-reviewed journals, such as funding conflicts.

Pair the CRAAP Test with critical appraisal tools (like CASP checklists) for research-intensive assignments.

Alternatives to the CRAAP Test

Other tools also help evaluate source credibility and information quality:

• SIFT Method – Encourages lateral reading and checking multiple sources.
• RADCAB – Focuses more on appropriateness and depth.
• ABC Test – Simpler but often less nuanced than CRAAP.
• Peer Review Checks – For academic journals, ensure articles are published in peer-reviewed journals via databases like Ulrichsweb.

Each tool has its use, but for nursing undergraduates, the CRAAP Test remains one of the most comprehensive and practical.

Frequently Asked Questions on the CRAAP Test

What Are the 5 Parts of the CRAAP Test?

• Currency
• Relevance
• Authority
• Accuracy
• Purpose

How Does the CRAAP Test Help Evaluate Academic Sources?

It provides a structured method for judging a source’s credibility, helping students avoid poor-quality or non-scholarly sources in their writing.

Can I Use the CRAAP Test to Evaluate Websites?

Yes — especially useful for evaluating news articles, health blogs, and online content. Check for publication dates, authorship, and purpose.

Why Should I Use the CRAAP Test on AI-Generated Content?

AI tools can generate convincing but inaccurate content. Apply the CRAAP Test to verify if AI-generated text is evidence-based and properly cited.

What Is a Good CRAAP Score?

Some universities use a 50-point scale (10 points per category). A score of 40 or higher typically indicates a credible source.

Who Created the CRAAP Test?

It was developed by Sarah Blakeslee and colleagues at California State University, Chico’s Meriam Library.

What Part of CRAAP Focuses on Reliability?

Accuracy — this evaluates whether the information is supported by evidence and free from errors or bias.

Conclusion: Why Nursing Students Should Use the CRAAP Test

The CRAAP Test is a practical, powerful tool for nursing students. It supports:

• Choosing relevant, trustworthy sources.
• Avoiding fake news and commercial bias.
• Developing academic research skills that align with evidence-based practice.

Before including any source in your paper, take a moment to use the CRAAP Test — your credibility as a writer and future nurse may depend on it.

✨ Need help? Ask a librarian at your university. They’re trained to guide you through source evaluation and research strategy.