Authority

Points to consider:

• Who is the author?
• What are the author's credentials?
• Does the author have expertise on the subject?
• If it is an Internet source, is the page signed?  Who is the sponsor of the site or page?

How can I find out?

• Look at the source to see if it tells you anything about the author's credentials. Many items on the Web are not reviewed by others before publication; this may cast doubt about a Web site's reliability.
• Check a biographical source.
• Read a critical review.  A review will often give information about the author.
• Many Internet sources do not give the identity or credentials of the author or producer.  Sources that do not give this information may have questionable reliability.
• If it is an Internet source, is it a “.com, .net, .edu, .gov, .org?”

Accuracy and Documentation

Points to consider:

• Are the facts accurate?
• Are the "facts" being quoted out of context or plagiarized?
• Does the author refer to other works? Does the source have a bibliography?

How can I find out?

• See if the author supports his or her statements with data or references to research.
• Look at the end of the source for a bibliography or list of references.
• Compare to other information sources.

Objectivity and Purpose

Points to consider:

• What is the purpose of the source?
• Is it to inform, persuade, present opinions, report research, or sell a product? 
• Does the source contain the information you need?
• Does the author have a bias?
• For what audience is it intended? (General public, scholars in the field, etc.)
• Is the source popular or scholarly?

How can I find out?

• Read the source you are evaluating.  If it contains too much technical or specialized language or if it is written for experts in the field, you may wish to choose another source.
• Determine whether the information is too general or specific for your need.
• Determine whether the source is published by an organization with a particular purpose.
• Determine whether the source attempts to sell a product.
• Determine whether the source provides a balanced view or promotes a particular viewpoint.
• Determine the type of material:  peer-reviewed, refereed, scholarly, academic, consumer, or popular magazine.

Currency

Points to consider:

• When was the information published?
• Is the date of publication important to the subject matter?
• On a Web page, is the information current?  When was information last updated?

How can I find out?

• Look at the date of publication.
• Determine whether it is important to use current sources for the subject.  In fields such as medicine, science, business and technology, currency of information is important.  In fields such as history and literature, older materials may be just as valuable as newer ones.
• Dates on Web pages can indicate when the material was placed on the Web and when the material was last updated or revised.

Review Process

Points to consider:

• If the source is a periodical article, was it reviewed for publication?
• If the source is a book, what is the reputation of the publisher?
• If it is from the Internet, was there any review process at all?
• Was it critically reviewed after it was written?

How can I find out?

• To find out whether a journal is peer reviewed or refereed, look at the front pages of the journal or check Ulrich's International Periodicals Directory online.  Some databases like those in InfoTrac allow you to search for refereed articles with a check box.  Other databases like PsycINFO index mostly scholarly/academic journals.
• Information may be published by an association, a university press, a commercial publisher, or a government. If you know something about the publisher, you can often identify bias and point of view.  Associations Unlimited, Publisher's Directory (Ref Z282. B66), and AV Marketplace (Ref LB1043. A817) will help you evaluate publishers.
• Many Internet sources are not reviewed before being posted. Government, educational, and organizational sites have some sort of review process.  If no review process is stated or evident, you may assume there is none. Beware of educational sites, not all are universities, some are elementary and high schools where student work is posted.  Know what school you are using.
• Read a critical review of books, movies, or music.