TRAAP is an evaluation tool which can help you assess the credibility of a source. It is an acronym which stands for Timeframe, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy and Purpose. Each of these headings has a set of related questions that help you to decide whether the source is suitable for academic research.

The TRAAP questions are meant to serve as a guide rather than a checklist. The importance of each set of criteria will vary depending on your topic and the kind of evidence you are looking for.

Timeframe

• When was the information created, published or posted?
• Has the information been revised or updated?
• Is the information current or out of date for your topic?

Relevance

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

Authority

• Who is the creator and/or author and/or publisher and/or source and/or sponsor?
• Is there any information about the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?
• Is the writer an expert on the subject? What are their qualifications?
• Is there contact information, such as a publisher or e-mail address?

Accuracy

• Where does the information come from?
• Are citations and references provided?
• 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 objective and free of emotion?
• Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors?
• Why do you trust it?

Purpose

• What is the purpose of the information (e.g. to inform, teach, sell, entertain, persuade etc.)?
• Do the authors and/or sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
• Is the information fact, opinion and/or propaganda?
• Is it objective or biased?
• Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases?

Watch a short tutorial describing how to evaluate sources using the TRAAP Test.

Gwinnett Technical College Library (2020) TRAAP. 6 May. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okqem1q_bLg (Accessed: 16 June 2025).