What is the purpose of CRAAP analysis?

CRAAP analysis is a tool used to evaluate the quality and credibility of sources, particularly in research and academic contexts. The acronym stands for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose, which are five criteria that help researchers determine the reliability and appropriateness of information.

Using CRAAP analysis, individuals can assess how recent a source is (Currency), how closely it aligns with their needs (Relevance), the qualifications and expertise of the author (Authority), the factual correctness of the information (Accuracy), and the underlying motivations of the author or organization (Purpose). This systematic approach ensures that the information utilized is not only trustworthy but also suitable for the specific research context, ultimately leading to more robust and credible outcomes in their work.

In contrast, the other options relate to specific functions that are not connected to the evaluation of information resources. Measuring financial risks pertains to financial analysis, estimating profit margins is related to business performance metrics, and assessing employee performance focuses on human resources and management practices—none of which involve the evaluation of source quality as defined by the CRAAP criteria.