Today you will
- learn a five-part test called CRAAP
- sort some sources into trust buckets
- write a verdict on three sources in your {{code:02_search_log}}
Warm-up
Would you trust a dietitian's plain blog with links to HSE pages? Or would you trust a glossy site that looks official but sells detox tea? Keep your answer in your head for now.
CRAAP is a five-part check for any web page, social post or AI answer.
- Currency: How old is it, and does that matter?
- Relevance: Does it answer my question here in Ireland?
- Authority: Can I name who wrote it and say why they know?
- Accuracy: Can I open something that backs up the claim?
- Purpose: Is it there to inform, persuade, sell or entertain?
Treat every AI answer as a draft and open a source it cites.
Example
Every verdict is Trust, Partial trust or Don't use.
You will sort six short claim-and-source cards into buckets. Use the CRAAP checks to decide, and follow the steps in the box below.
Trust, partial trust, or don't use?
Common snags
- You trusted it because it looked official. Ignore the logo. If you can't name the author and date, the look doesn't count.
- The AI answer sounded sure. Open one of its links. If that page doesn't back the claim, mark it Don't use.
- You can't choose between Partial trust and Don't use. If part of it is still useful, pick Partial trust and name the limit.
Portfolio Build
- Open {{code:Project_Portfolio}}, then {{code:02_research}}, then {{code:02_search_log}}.
- Pick three sources. If you used an AI tool, include one AI source. If you have fewer than three, add one.
- Under each source, type the heading {{code:CRAAP verdict}}.
- Run the five checks. Then write Trust, Partial trust or Don't use, with the main letter and a short reason.
- End each verdict with the Checked against line below, making the source name a link.
Examples:
{{code:CRAAP verdict: Trust. Currency and Accuracy hold (updated this year; WRC link backs the claim). Checked against WRC link: backed the claim.}}
{{code:CRAAP verdict: Partial trust. Useful for process tips (Authority OK: named plumber) but don't use for tax rules (Accuracy/Purpose). Checked against Revenue.ie: did not back the video's tax claims.}}
- My verdicts are saved in {{code:02_search_log}}.
- Each one says Trust, Partial trust or Don't use, with a reason.
- Each one ends with {{code:Checked against ...: backed / did not back the claim}}.
- I finished at least two in class.
Think about
- Which source looked strongest at first? Did CRAAP change your mind?
- What one habit will you keep when you use an AI answer?
Answer one question out loud or with a partner.
What you covered
- I can use CRAAP on web, social and AI sources.
- I can judge a claim by what I can check.
- I can compare my gut reaction with what CRAAP shows.
- I can write CRAAP verdicts in {{code:02_search_log}}.
Finished early?
Find a better source for one Don't use source in your log, and add it.
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