Accuracy: Where does the information come from?  Is the information supported by evidence (citations)?  Has the information been reviewed or refereed?  Can you verify any of the information in another source?  

• This can be difficult if you are just starting your research, but use any background knowledge you have or consult a reference resource to make a brief initial assessment, and then you can revisit questionable sources as you continue your research.

Authority: Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor? What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given?  What are the author's qualifications to write on the topic?

• Authority is contextual- it does not solely belong to professional scholars. Authority can exist in personal or professional expertise, and can be presented formally (scholarly articles) or informally (blog posts). 

Currency: When was the information published or posted?  Has the information been revised or updated?  Is the information current or out-of date for your topic?

• The date of publication is not always important- this can vary significantly from topic to topic. Think about why you need particular information to determine if the date of publication matters. 

Purpose: What is the purpose of the information (to inform, to persuade, to sell)? Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear? Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?

• There is a difference between an article exhibiting a bias, and and article expressing an opinion.  
  • An opinion article is sharing the author's point of view on a topic. Articles that express an opinion are not "bad" sources, but make sure you know where the facts end and the opinions begin. 
  • Bias is an inaccurate or unfair represntation of data. Bias can be intentional or unintentional, so make sure to watch for it in any sources you use.  

Informational pages created by McQuade Librarians that outline strengths and weaknesses of resources found on the web.