AUTHORITY

Examine: Credentials of the producer or sponsor delivering the information

• Look for "about us," "home," "biography", and "credits" on the home page
• Check other publications by the author or sponsor by going to
  Library of Congress Online Catalog
    Amazon.com
• Examine and decode a URL address
    Wiki definition: Generic top-level domain
• Check who owns a domain
    Go to Whois.net
• Search Google or Amazon for other publications or sites done by the author.
  

CURRENCY

Consider: Information currency at the time of publication

• Check the frequency of updates
• Look for dates, updates, revision dates
• Avoid undated information sources

PURPOSE

Consider or determine: Why was the site created?

• To inform
• To entertain
• To advertise/sell a product
• To promote a point of view or belief
• To spoof or as a sham or hoax

Consider or determine: Is the information accurately and objectively presented?

• Bias or undocumented opinions
• Spelling or typographical errors and flaws or strengths in format and appearance
• References or links that are useful or verify the information provided