📚 Source Evaluator
100% client‑side · CRAAP test + relevance · private · no data leaves device
Source credibility + relevance
Why client‑side evaluation?
Your sources stay private. No API calls, no cloud. Use CRAAP-based rubric: Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose. All weights client‑side.
custom weights
adapt in your head
📚 Source Evaluator – Academic Credibility & Relevance Checker
A free, browser-based academic tool that helps you evaluate the credibility and relevance of any source using the proven CRAAP test framework. Rate each dimension on a 1–5 scale, get an instant weighted credibility score, and export your evaluation — all without sending a single character to any server.
What Is a Source Evaluator?
A source evaluator is a structured tool that guides researchers, students, and writers through a systematic checklist for assessing whether a source is trustworthy and appropriate for academic use. Instead of relying on gut feeling, you apply a consistent rubric to every source — journal articles, websites, books, reports, or online publications.
This tool implements the widely adopted CRAAP test, developed by librarians at California State University, Chico. It evaluates five key dimensions of source quality, producing a clear numeric credibility score out of 25 that you can document and reference in your research notes.
What Is the CRAAP Test?
CRAAP is an acronym representing five criteria used to judge the quality of an information source. Each criterion is rated on a scale from 1 (low) to 5 (excellent), giving a maximum possible score of 25.
📅 C — Currency
How recent is the information? Currency assesses the timeliness of the source. In fast-moving fields such as medicine, technology, or current events, recent publication dates matter greatly. For historical research, older sources may still be entirely appropriate.
- When was the source published or last updated?
- Has the information been revised or updated since original publication?
- Is the content still relevant given how quickly the field changes?
🎯 R — Relevance
Does the source directly relate to your research topic or question? Relevance ensures you are not padding a bibliography with loosely connected material but instead drawing on sources that genuinely support your argument or analysis.
- Does the information relate to your topic or answer your research question?
- Who is the intended audience — general public, scholars, or professionals?
- Is the level of information appropriate for your academic work?
🎓 A — Authority
Who created the source, and are they qualified to speak on the topic? Authority examines the credentials of the author or organization behind the content — a critical factor in distinguishing expert opinion from uninformed commentary.
- Who is the author, publisher, or sponsoring organization?
- What are the author's qualifications or affiliations?
- Does the URL or domain suggest a credible institution (.edu, .gov, .org)?
✅ A — Accuracy
Is the information reliable, truthful, and correct? Accuracy looks at whether the content is supported by evidence, peer-reviewed, and free from factual errors or misleading claims.
- Is the information supported by evidence or citations?
- Has the source been reviewed or refereed by experts?
- Can you verify the information in other credible sources?
🎯 P — Purpose
Why does this source exist? Purpose reveals the intent behind the content — whether it is meant to inform, persuade, sell, entertain, or advocate. Understanding purpose helps you identify potential bias or conflict of interest.
- What is the purpose of the information — to inform, persuade, or sell?
- Is the content objective, or does it reflect a particular point of view?
- Are there signs of political, ideological, or commercial bias?
Key Features
- ✅ CRAAP test framework — all five dimensions rated and weighted instantly
- ✅ Instant credibility score — weighted result out of 25, displayed immediately
- ✅ Copy verdict — copy your full evaluation summary to the clipboard in one click
- ✅ Export to .txt — save your evaluation as a plain text file for your records
- ✅ Personal notes field — add your own observations alongside the structured scores
- ✅ MLA / APA hints — guidance on citation style suitability included
- ✅ 100% client-side — all processing happens in your browser; zero data leaves your device
- ✅ Works offline — no internet connection required once the page is loaded
- ✅ No account required — open the tool and start evaluating immediately
How to Use the Source Evaluator
- Enter the source title or URL in the first field.
- Add the author or organization responsible for the content.
- Enter the year of publication.
- Rate each of the five CRAAP dimensions from 1 (low) to 5 (excellent).
- Optionally add your own notes or observations about the source.
- View your instant credibility score out of 25.
- Copy or export the evaluation verdict for use in your research notes.
Interpreting Your Credibility Score
The tool produces a weighted score out of 25 based on your five CRAAP ratings. Here is a general guide to interpreting results:
- 20–25 — Highly credible source; excellent for academic use
- 15–19 — Generally credible; use with appropriate critical judgment
- 10–14 — Questionable credibility; consider finding stronger sources
- Below 10 — Low credibility; not recommended for academic citation
A score of 18.5 or above is typically considered a credible, well-qualified source for inclusion in research papers, theses, and journal submissions.
Who Is This Tool For?
- University students — Quickly assess whether a source is suitable for essays, dissertations, or research papers.
- Academic researchers — Apply a consistent, documented rubric to every source in your literature review.
- High school students — Learn good research habits by practicing structured source evaluation.
- Educators & librarians — Demonstrate the CRAAP test framework to students in a practical, interactive way.
- Journalists & fact-checkers — Systematically verify the credibility of information before publishing.
- Content writers — Ensure the sources you cite are authoritative and accurate.
🔒 Why Client-Side Processing Matters
Many online research tools send your input to a remote server for processing, creating risks around data privacy, confidentiality, and information security. This Source Evaluator is different. Every calculation — every rating, score, and verdict — is computed entirely within your own browser.
No data is transmitted to any external server. No account is created. Nothing is stored or logged. This makes the tool completely safe to use when evaluating sources for sensitive research, unpublished work, or confidential projects.
Evaluate Your Sources Now — Free & Private
Stop guessing whether a source is credible. Apply the CRAAP test in seconds, get a clear numeric score, and document your findings — no sign-up, no server, no tracking required.
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