Evaluate Sources With CRAAP And SIFT
Apply CRAAP and SIFT to evaluate a source before relying on it in legal research.
Clarity is not authority. The easiest source to understand may be the least safe source to rely on. Currency Law changes. Check publication date, update history, and whether later authority has altered the rule. Relevance A source can discuss the right topic but the wrong jurisdiction, procedure, party posture, or claim type. Authority And Accuracy Investigate who wrote it and whether the claim points to statutes, cases, regulations, or recognized secondary sources. Purpose Ask why the page exists. Marketing, advocacy, education, and official guidance carry different risks. SIFT In Practice Stop before relying. Investigate the source. Find better coverage. Trace…
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