What does CRAAP stand for in evaluating information sources?

The acronym CRAAP stands for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose, which are key criteria used for evaluating the reliability and quality of information sources, especially in academic and research contexts.

Currency refers to how up-to-date the information is, which is crucial in fields where data and context can change rapidly. Relevance assesses how pertinent the information is to the topic at hand, determining whether it meets the needs of the reader's specific situation or research question. Authority looks at the credibility of the source – who created it, and what are their qualifications or expertise? Accuracy evaluates the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content, ensuring that the information is based on verified facts. Lastly, Purpose examines the intent behind the information – whether it is to inform, persuade, entertain, or sell, which can influence its objectivity and reliability.

The other options offer variations of terms that somewhat align but do not accurately represent the widely recognized CRAAP criteria used for effectively assessing information sources. Thus, the first choice accurately encompasses the essential elements needed to critically evaluate sources of information.