Evaluation Frameworks Explained

Academic journal or government report:
Use CRAAP or PROMPT to check relevance, credibility, and objectivity.

News story or blog post:
Use 5Ws to ask thoughtful questions about accuracy, bias, and intent.

Website or social media post:
Use Lateral Reading or SIFT to cross-check facts and source credibility.

Opinion piece or persuasive content:
Use RAVEN to evaluate argument strength and author motivation.

AI-generated content:
Use CRAAP, 5Ws, or PROMPT depending on your purpose — focus on accuracy, bias, and provenance.

TIP: You don’t need to use every framework. Choose one that fits your task — and check with your tutor if you're unsure what’s expected for your assignment.

Note: If you use Cite Them Right Online (CTRO), you may see the ACORN checklist (Accurate, Current, Objective, Relevant, Named). CTRO use this as a simple way to highlight the qualities of academic credibility. It covers the same principles as the frameworks on this page, but in a more basic mnemonic form.

Best for: General academic sources like articles, books, and reports.

What it covers:

• Currency: Is it recent enough for your topic?

• Relevance: Does it relate directly to your assignment?

• Authority: Who wrote it, and are they credible?

• Accuracy: Is the information supported by evidence?

• Purpose: Is it trying to inform, persuade, or sell?

Example: You're evaluating a government report on climate policy. Use CRAAP to check that the data is recent, the authors are qualified, and that the report is evidence-based.

Best for: News articles, websites, and AI-generated content.

What to ask:

• Who created it?

• What is its purpose?

• Where was it published?

• When was it written?

• Why does it exist?

Example: You're reading a web article about exam stress. The 5 Ws help you uncover whether the author is credible, whether the site is commercial or academic, and whether the information is up to date.

Best for: Online sources, social media, and websites with unknown credibility.

Key strategies:

• Open new tabs to find what other sources say

• Look for background on the author or organisation

• Check whether multiple sources report the same facts

Example: You find a surprising statistic on a blog. Lateral reading helps you confirm whether it appears in other reputable sources like news outlets or academic articles.

For more on spotting unreliable content: Spotting Misinformation and Disinformation

Best for: Web content, viral posts, AI responses, and digital news.

Steps to follow:

• Stop and reflect before sharing or using a source

• Investigate the source — who is behind it?

• Find better coverage from trusted outlets

• Trace claims to the original context

Example: You’re checking a viral claim seen on social media. SIFT helps you evaluate whether it’s credible and where it originally came from.

See also: Critically evaluating GenAI

Best for: Journal articles, reports, and grey literature used in UK HE contexts.

What it covers:

• Presentation: Is it well structured?

• Relevance: Is it useful for your purpose?

• Objectivity: Is it free from bias?

• Method: Are the methods sound?

• Provenance: Who produced it?

• Timeliness: Is it up to date?

Example: You’re using a think tank report in a social policy essay. PROMPT helps you evaluate the credibility and rigour of that non-peer-reviewed source.

For source type definitions, see: Primary vs Secondary Sources

Best for: Opinion pieces, persuasive writing, and source credibility analysis.

What to check:

• Reputation: Is the source known for quality?

• Ability to observe: Do they have first-hand knowledge?

• Vested interest: Do they benefit from a certain view?

• Expertise: Are they qualified?

• Neutrality: Are they fair and balanced?

Example: You’re reading a columnist’s article on AI in education. RAVEN helps you assess whether their arguments are well-informed and trustworthy.