Currency: the timeliness of the information

1. When was the information published or posted?
2. Has the information been revised or updated?
3. Is the information current enough for the purposes of your research or will you need to find a more recent source?
4. Is the site well-maintained?  Are the links functional?

Relevance: the importance of the information for your needs

1. Does the information relate to your topic or answer your questions?
2. Who is the intended audience?
3. Is the information at an appropriate level?
4. Have you looked at a variety of sources before choosing this one?
5. Would you be comfortable using this source for a research paper?

Authority: the source of the information

1. Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
2. What are the author’s credentials or organizational affiliations?
3. What are the author’s qualifications to write on the topic?
4. Is there contact information, such as a publisher or e-mail address?
5. Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?

Accuracy: the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content

1. Where does the information come from?
2. Is the information supported by evidence?  Is there a list of sources or bibliography?
3. Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
4. Can you verify the information in another source?
5. Does the language or tone seem biased and free of emotion?
6. Are there any spelling, grammatical, or typographical errors?

Purpose: the reason the information exists

1. What is the purpose of this information?
2. Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
3. Is the information fact? Opinion? Propaganda? Satire? Parody?
4. Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
5. Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?