Relevance
Reliability
Credibility
Validity
Perspective
Timeliness
References
Purpose
Intended Audience

Relevance

Is the content of the item suitable for your research?

To determine this in a print source, examine the table of contents. This will give you a list of chapter titles and subdivisions. If a preface or introduction is available, read it. In a journal article or book chapter, usually the lead paragraph or abstract will give you enough information to determine if the item is relevant.

On a web site, look at several of the pages to see if the information seems relevant. If there is a site map, look at this to quickly see what subjects are covered on the web site.

Reliability

Is the information presented accurate and dependable? In a print source there is usually someone responsible for fact checking.

On a web site, can you determine if someone is acting as a fact checker or editor? Does the site describe criteria for including information on the site?

One way to help determine the reliability of a book is to use book reviews.

Whether using print or web sites, compare the facts you find with other documents on the same topic to check supporting facts or data.

Credibility

What are the author’s credentials? Is the author an expert in the field? Is there a way to verify the credentials, either in print or electronically? Is there a way to easily contact the author to verify information?

Biographical reference sources can often give you this information.

Validity

Know where the information is coming from.

Is the work based on personal opinion, original research, laboratory experiments, or other documentation?

From what sources were the facts gathered?

Perspective

Be watchful of author bias, especially when looking for objective accounts.

Consider the author’s cultural, political, social, and economic background.

Timeliness

Be sure to check the date of publication. Does it correlate with your research needs? Is the information too old to be useful?

Remember that issues in science and law change quickly and currency of the information is crucial..

Are you looking for contemporary materials (sources which originated near or at the time of an event, idea or phenomenon)?

Are you looking for a current account of an historic event?

References

Look for bibliographies or original research as attachments or appendices.

References often give you an opportunity to check item validity and are a possible avenue to additional resources.

Purpose

Why was the item written? Is it clearly stated?

The purpose can range from dissemination of information about an important study or research project, to the insight of a specific group of people, to propaganda.

Intended Audience

Who is the target audience? Does the level of language used indicate if the intended audience is children, laypersons, scholars, university students or professionals?

This is often reflected in the author's writing style. Is this appropriate for your purposes?