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Is the information complete?

Often, a source will tell you only one side of the story. This may be especially true on the Web, where information may be posted by individuals or groups who want to sway you to their way of thinking, without concern for balance or fairness. If an author tells you only facts that support his or her opinion, something important is probably missing. Look further.

Is the information current?

Generally, you will want the very latest information on a subject, especially when it comes to science, technology, and current events. Look for articles and books with a recent copyright date. And always check the date of Web postings. If no date is posted, don’t assume that the information is recent.