Currency = The timeliness of information:

• How old is it?
• When was the information created, published or posted?
• Has the information been revised or updated?
• Is the information current or out-of date for your topic?
• Are the links functional? 

Relevance = The importance of the information for your 

needs:

• Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
• Who is the intended audience?
• Is the information at an appropriate level (e.g. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?
• Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?
• Does it seem credible?
• Would you be comfortable using this source for a research paper?

Authority = The source of the information:

• Who is the creator and/or author and/or publisher and/or source and/or sponsor?
• Are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given?
• What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given?
• What are the author's qualifications to write on the topic?
• Is there contact information, such as a publisher or e-mail address?
• Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source? For example:
  • .ac.uk = Academic institutions in the UK
  • .com = Commercial sites
  • .edu = Educational institutions
  • .gov = Government
  • .nhs.uk = Health information services in the UK
  • .org = Non-profit organizations
  • .mil = Military
  • .net = Network.

Accuracy = The reliability, truthfulness and correctness 

of the content:

• Where does the information come from?
• Does it have references?
• Is the information supported by evidence?
• Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
• Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
• Does the language or tone seem objective and free of emotion?
• Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors?

• Why do you trust it?

Purpose = The reason the information exists:

• What is the purpose of the information (e.g. to inform, teach, sell, entertain, persuade etc.)?
• Do the authors and/or sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
• Is the information fact, opinion and/or propaganda?
• Is it objective or biased?
• Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases?