Health Care Management

Data & Statistics

Industry Overviews

Analytics

General

Currency refers to the timeliness of the information. Ask:

• When was the information posted or published?
• Has the information been revised or updated?
• Does your topic require current, up-to-date information? 
• Are the links functional?

Relevance refers to the importance of the information to your topic. Ask:

• Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
• Who is the intended audience?
• Is the information, language, and terminology at an appropriate level (not elementary, not too technical)?
• Does this source add to your body of knowledge on the topic?

Authority refers to the source of the information. Ask:

• Who is the author/publisher/source?
• What makes this author/publisher/source an authority on this topic?
• What are the author's credentials?
• What is the URL domain (.com, .gov, .edu, .org)?

Accuracy refers to the reliability, truthfulness and correctness of the content. Ask:

• Is the content making extraordinary claims or claims that sound very different from other research you have found?
• Is the information supported by evidence such as links to other credible sources or a reference list?
• Has the information been reviewed or refereed? 
• Is the language unbiased and objective?
• Are there spelling, grammar or typographical errors?

Purpose refers to the reason the information exists. Ask:

• Is the information posted to inform, teach, sell, entertain, or persuade?
• Does the author express personal opinions?
• Is the content objective and impartial?
• Is the content trying to sell a product, service or idea?
• Is the website satire?