RELEVANCE: Does the information matter?

• Does the information help you accomplish the purpose of your work/paper? Does this easily relate to your topic?
• Does this source meet all your information needs or assignment requirements?
• Is this source written at an appropriate level for your intended audience?
• Have you looked at a variety of sources? why is this source better than others?

BOTTOM LINE: Is this a source that adds value to your work? why is it worth including?

AUTHORITY: Who is the author? Who is the publisher?

• What is their educational or professional background? What expertise do they have with this subject?
• Where are they from? Where are they living now?
• What political party do they belong to?
• What organizations or causes do they support?
• Can you see any bias in their work?

BOTTOM LINE: Can you trust this author and publisher to know what they are talking about?

ACCURACY: Is this information correct and reliable?

• When were the sources published? Are they current or outdated?
• Do the sources come from trustworthy authors or publishers?
• If the source is based on original research, what methods were used to collect the data or information?
• What is the sample size or population of the study? Is it large enough to be representative?
• Are there any obvious weaknesses in the way data or information was gathered or analyzed?
• Does the author provide adequate support for their conclusions?
• Are sources listed or cited in the text?

BOTTOM LINE: Can you trust that this information is truthful?

PURPOSE: What are the intentions behind this information?

• Is the information meant to entertain? Inform? Educate? Persuade? Sell?
• Is the source populated with advertisements or photographs?
• Is the information fact, opinion, or propaganda?
• Do the authors or publishers make their intentions clear
• Is there evidence of bias: political, cultural, religious, ideological, personal?

BOTTOM LINE: Is this source objective and impartial or is it influenced by bias or hidden agendas?