Author: Determine if the source author, creator, or publisher of the information is the most knowledgeable.

• Who is the author, creator, or publisher of the source or what organization is responsible for the source?

• How do you know if the author is an expert on the topic? Do they give credentials or explain why their experience qualifies them to write the article?

• Is there contact information available?

Up to Date?

• What is the copyright, publication, or posting date?

• Is the information outdated in relation to the topic?

Purpose

• Why was this source written (e.g. to inform, teach, entertain, persuade)?

• How might the author's affiliation affect the point of view, slant, or potential bias of the source?

• How might the intended audience affect the point of view, slant, or potential bias of the information?

• What conclusions are presented, and is the information complete? Is anything major excluded?

• How does this resource compare to others on the same topic?

Accuracy

• What indications do you see that the information is or is not well researched or provides sufficient evidence?

• What kind of language, imagery and/or tone is used (e.g. emotional, objective, professional, etc.)?

• Does evidence support the premises/claims and conclusions?

• Are facts and claims documented or cited within the text, as notes, or in a bibliography?

Other Sources

• Have you found other sites that confirm the information?

• Are their books or magazines that agree with this site's facts?