Youth Ministry : Evaluating Sources

CRAAP TEST WORKSHEET 

Use the following worksheet to help you evaluate your sources. Score each of the main categories 1 to 10 (1 = Worst; 10 = Best). Check your scores with the key at the bottom.

Currency: the timeliness of the information

• When was the information published or posted? 
• Has the information been revised or updated?
• Is the information current or out-of date for your topic?
• Are the links functional?

Score:________

Relevance: the importance of the information for your needs

• Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
• Who is the intended audience?
• Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?
• Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?
• Would you be comfortable using this source for a research paper?

Score:________

Authority: the source of the information

• Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
• Are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given?
• What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given?
• What are the author's qualifications to write on the topic?
• Is there contact information, such as a publisher or e-mail address?
• Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source? For example:
  • .com (commercial)
  • .edu (educational)
  • .gov (U.S. government)
  • .org (nonprofit organization)
  • .net (network)

Score:________

Accuracy: the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content

• Where does the information come from?
• Is the information supported by evidence?
• Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
• Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
• Does the language or tone seem biased and free of emotion?
• Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors?

Score:________

Purpose: the reason the information exists 

• What is the purpose of the information? to inform? teach? sell? entertain? persuade?
• Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
• Is the information fact? opinion? propaganda?
• Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
• Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?

Score:________

 Total:________

45-50 Excellent

40-44 Good

 35-39 Average

 30-34 Borderline Acceptable

 Below 30 Unacceptable

Note: all credit for the CRAAP test goes to the librarians who developed it at Meriam Library at CSU Chico. 

Doug Fields: Marriage, Family, Youth Ministry & Leadership

Doug Fields is a resource-provider, writer, pastor & leadership mentor. He’s the author of more than 50 books and is currently working with Youth Specialties & Azusa Pacific University (HomeWord’s Center for Youth/Family)

More Than Dodgeball

Josh Griffin has been in youth ministry for 16+ years in a small church and a big church. He currently serves as the High School Pastor at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA.

Rethinking Youth Ministry

This blog is authored by pastors Brian Kirk and Jacob Thorne, and seeks to rethink the most basic assumptions of youth ministry from a mainline/progressive perspective by offering both theory and practical ideas.

Life in Student Ministry

Tim Schmoyer is an author, national youth leader trainer, speaker, & dedicated to facilitating discussions among Christian youth workers about youth ministry.

YouthMinistry360

YM360 seeks to meet the needs of youth workers. This blog is one way they work to encourage and equip youth workers for ministry.

The Barna Group

The family/kids section of the Barna Group website contains information from a variety of surveys and statistics related to this demographic. 

David C Cook: Resources for Teens Youth ministry resources from various publishers.

The Gospel Coalition: Youth Ministry Articles, blogs, podcasts, book reviews & videos 

Group: Youth Ministry Creating innovative resources to help youth workers do what matters most.

Southern Baptist Convention: Youth Ministry Youth ministry resources from the Southern Baptist Convention.