The CRAAP Test concept began at Meriam Library at California State University, Chico in 2010 as a cheeky acroynm students could use by asking themselves a series of questions when evaluating a piece of information.
Librarians at the University of Central Missouri developed a rubric off of the CRAAP Test paradigm where students graded information on the five categories of currency, relevance, authority, accuracy & purpose. Students then explained how they came to the ratings and whether they would use the information in a decision, research, etc.
The CRAAP Test rubric is designed to be a systematic approach to evaluating information regardless of the need. Therefore, the rubric is used throughout the course for personal, professional and academic information needs.
| Strong Argument Traits | Weak Argument Traits |
|---|---|
| 1. Uses multiple sources of information. | 1. Uses few/limited number of evidence sources. |
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2. Uses different kinds of information:
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2.Uses one kind of evidence. |
| 3. Fully cites or links to information sources used as evidence in order to allow the reader to the source his/herself. | 3. Doesn't fully explain, cite or link to the original information source used as evidence in the argument. |
| 4. Author respectfully acknowledges other points of view, but is able to explain why his/her claim is the better answer. | 4. Author does not acknowledge other points of view OR is very dismissive of other points of view without explaining why his/her claim is the "best". |
| 5. Author doesn't "cherry pick" or miscontrue the content in the information sources used as evidence. | 5. Author "twists" or "cherry picks" information sources, changing their meaning to suit the author's argument. |
Students pick a profession to explore and choose a scenario where that profession is tasked to advise on a solution to a problem. Below are some example scenarios for the professional role:
Education/Teacher Scenario – Your school district has been mandated to spend more time teaching elementary school students reading and math. There are discussions about how to handle this issue. Some argue for a longer school day, others for a longer school year. There is another group stating that eliminating recess would work too. You have been tasked by your school principal to make a presentation to the district school board answering this question: Should your school district reduce the length of recess in order to fit more classwork into the curriculum?
Criminal Justice/Psychology Scenario – After the suicide of Kalief Browder, there has been a national debate about the use of solitary confinement for juvenile offenders. Many people argue that solitary confinement creates permanent mental illness in prisoners and shouldn’t be used at all. Others think it can be used in moderation. Many professionals that work in prisons think solitary confinement is a key tool to protecting prison and jail employees. The Kansas Department of Corrections Juvenile Services Division has contacted you to present a proposal to them: Should juvenile offender facilities in the state of Kansas ban solitary confinement of juveniles?
Health Sciences/Nursing Scenario – Across the US, there has been a steady increase in the number of nurses who have been injured at work. The majority of nurse injuries are to their backs and it is believed these injuries are caused primarily from lifting patients. Conversations are going on across the country regarding how to reduce this problem. Some believe that a fix to the problem is to have nurses lift patients in teams. Others argue that nurses just need better training on how to lift patients. Another group states there is no safe way for nurses to lift a patient and call for another solution altogether. The CEO and Nurse Administrator of your hospital have tasked you with giving them a recommendation. You will make a proposal answering this question: Should your hospital install patient lifting equipment in each room to reduce nurse injuries?