Criteria:

What to look for in books and periodicals:

What to look for in Web sites:

Authority

• What are the author's credentials and reputation?
  What other works on the subject has the author written?
  Is the author an expert or researcher in the field? A government agency? A journalist?
  Has the author been cited by your instructor? In other publications you've read?
• Did you check biographical sources such as Contemporary Authors and Biographical and Genealogical Master Index in the E-Resource List ?

• Who is supplying the information?
  Is it an educational institution (.edu extension)? A government agency (.gov)? A commercial supplier (.com)? A non-profit organization (.org)?
  Is the supplier a reputable organization? (look for an “About Us” link on the homepage)
• Is there an author or contact person named? What are the author's credentials (see "What to look for in books and periodicals")?
• Has this site been reviewed by experts or professional organizations?