Authority: Identify whether the authors are experts in their field. You may need to check biographical sources to see whether your author is a recognized authority. Consult appropriate print sources, such as The National Faculty Directory, Biography Index, or Who's Who.

Alternately, you can go to the Databases screen on the Libraries' Web site and click on "Biographies" (right-hand column). A Long list of online database titles will appear. Choose those appropriate to your subject.

For Web resources, identify the Web site's sponsor (university, company, organization, or individual). Determine whether the source contains a bibliography; this may indicate that the author incorporates research published by others.

Currency: Current information is important, especially in the sciences. When was the research presented by your source produced? For Web resources, determine when the site was last updated.

Scholarly: Note the source in which the information appears. Is it a scholarly journal? Does it include a bibliography? Is the book publisher a university press or other reputable publisher? When in doubt, ask a librarian to help you.

Objectivity: Use reasonably presented information. Does the source material appear accurate and balanced, or is it heavily biased in one direction or another?

Relevancy: Make sure the level of information is appropriate for your research. Is it directed at a specialized or general audience?

Primary vs Secondary: Primary sources are sometimes required in your research. These are firsthand, or original records of events, including survey results, diaries, ethnographies, artwork, data sets, statistics, case studies, or works of literature, such as poems, plays, short stories, and novels. The secondary aspect of sources comes into play when there is interpretation, analysis, or restatement of these same events or materials in order to explain them. Secondary materials include research articles and books, literary criticism, biography and history, and so on.