What are the components of the CRAAP test used to evaluate information quality?

• A. Authority, Currency, Context, Accuracy, Perspective.
• B. Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose.
• C. Date, Relevance, Authenticity, Accuracy, Purpose.
• D. Currency, Relevance, Authority, Availability, Purpose.

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is evaluating information quality using the five factors of the CRAAP test: Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose.

Currency refers to when the information was produced or last updated. This matters because some topics change quickly, so up-to-date sources are more reliable for current information, while older sources can be fine for historical context.

Relevance asks how closely the source fits your needs—does it address your question, match the required depth, and suit the intended audience?

Authority looks at who created the information and their credentials. A credible author or institution with appropriate expertise and transparent affiliations strengthens trust in the content.

Accuracy focuses on reliability and verifiability. Good sources provide evidence, citations, data, and are free from obvious errors; information should be supported and, when possible, corroborated by other trustworthy sources.

Purpose concerns why the information exists. Consider whether the aim is to inform, persuade, entertain, or sell something, and whether there may be bias or conflicts of interest. A clear, balanced purpose tends to yield more trustworthy content.

Together these five aspects help you judge how suitable and trustworthy a source is for your needs.