Fake News

Currency:  The timeliness of the information.

• When was the information published or posted?
• Has the information been revised or updated?
• Does the story report events, or is it speculating on the future?
• Are the links functional?

Relevance: The importance of the information for your needs.

• Who is the intended audience? 
• Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?
• Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?
• Would you be comfortable citing this source in a research paper?
• Are you confident in this article merely because it is confirming something you already believe
• Alternately, is it worded in a way that immediately elicits an emotional reaction (anger, etc.)? 

Authority: The source of the information. 

• Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
• What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?
• Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?
• Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?  examples: .com .edu .gov .org .net

Accuracy: The reliability, truthfulness and correctness of the content.

• Where does the information come from?
• Is the information supported by evidence?
• Has the information been reviewed or refereed? For news articles, is it clear that the publication has an editor?
• Can you verify any of the information in another source?
• Does the language or tone seem unbiased and free of emotion?
• Are there spelling, grammar or typographical errors?

Purpose: The reason the information exists. 

• What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain or persuade?
• Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
• Is the information fact, opinion or propaganda?
• Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
• Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases?