Accuracy

• Is the information reliable and error-free?
• Is there an editor or someone who verifies/checks the information?

Rationale

• Anyone can publish anything on the Web
• Unlike traditional print resources, web resources rarely have editors or fact-checkers
• Currently, no web standards exist to ensure accuracy

Authority

• Is there an author? Is the page signed?
• Is the author qualified? An expert?
• Who is the sponsor?
• Is the sponsor of the page reputable? How reputable?
• Is there a link to information about the author or the sponsor?
• If the page includes neither a signature nor indicates a sponsor, is there any other way to determine its origin?

>Look for a header or footer showing affilitation.
>Look at the URL. http://www.fbi.gov
>Look at the domain. .edu, .com, .ac.uk, .org, .net

Rationale

• See all of the rationale for accuracy above
• It is often difficult to determine a web page's authorship
• Even if a page is signed, qualifications are not usually given
• Sponsorship isn't usually indicated

Objectivity

• Does the information show a minimum of bias?
• Is the page designed to sway opinion?
• Is there any advertising on the page?

Rationale

• Frequently the goals of the sponsors/authors aren't clearly stated.
• Often the Web serves as a soapbox.

Currency

• Is the page dated?
• If so, when was the last update?
• How current are the links? Have some expired or moved?
  

Rationale

• Publication or revision dates are not always provided.
• If a date is provided, it may have various meanings. For example, it may indicate when the material was first written or when the material was first placed on the Web or when the material was last revised.

Coverage

• What topics are covered?
• What does this page offer that is not found elsewhere?
• What is its intrinsic value?
• How in-depth is the material?

Rationale

• Web coverage often differs from print coverage.
• Frequently, it's difficult to determine the extent of coverage.
• Sometimes web information is just-for-fun or outright silliness.