It is especially important to critically evaluate the information on the Internet.  The quality of Internet sources varies tremendously.  Almost anyone can publish on the Web and many Web resources are not verified by editors.  To assess whether a document is an appropriate information source, consider these characteristics.

• Accuracy

• How reliable and free from error is the information?

• Does the article cite its sources?

• Are the conclusions justified and supported by evidence?

• Is the information susceptible to alteration?

• Authority

• What are the author’s qualifications for writing on this subject? 

• Authority is often difficult to determine and the author’s credentials are not always provided.

• How reputable is the publisher?

• What is the institutional affiliation?

• Objectivity

• Does the author express a particular point of view?

• Does the author inform or persuade?

• Are there advertisements?

• Be aware that the Web often functions as a “virtual soapbox”.

• Currency

• Is the information still accurate?

• Is the publication date clearly labeled?

• Is the site updated frequently?

• Are the links dead-ends?

• Coverage

• Are the topics explored in depth?

• Are links provided?

• Is the information unique and useful or repetitious?

• Are discussions of the article available by other authors?

• Be aware that the electronic version may differ from the print version.  (For instance, some newspapers publish a more detailed version of the article online.)

• Other considerations of Web resources

• Is the site stable?

• Is the information easy to retrieve?

• Are navigation buttons, such as “return to home page” provided?