Anyone can publish on the Internet. That means there is a lot of reliable but also a lot of unreliable information out there. There is often no quality control by an editor or peers. So when you get information from the Internet, you have to be extra critical (see choose sources of information).
Commercial interests may play a role on the Internet. Therefore, you should pay close attention to the independence of websites.
Relevance
Connection to question and purpose
Does the information answer the questions you have?
Does the information match the questions you have and/or the target audience you are writing for?
Does the information on the website present a general picture?
Is a website or article on that site an appropriate source for your research?
Completeness
Does the information found present a complete picture. Are more sources needed?
Timeliness
Given your research, how current should the information be?
When was the text posted online?
When was the site last updated?
Could you expect more recent developments by now?
If other sources were referenced, how recent are they?
Reliability
Authority
Is it clear who wrote the information? What authority does this person have?
What is the author's background and has the author published anything before?
Was the website created by an individual or commissioned by an organization or company?
Does it contain contact information? Is there any mention of the purpose and creation of the website?
Correctness
Are the facts correct?
Are opinions supported by facts and/or references?
Objectivity
Is the information presented objectively?
Does the information contain mostly facts or opinions?
What is the purpose of the website? Informational, opinion, entertainment, commercial....
What interests do the authors have? If you want to check this, search the website for sections such as About this site, Disclaimer or Colophon. You can also get information from the web address:
.org = nonprofit organization
.gov = government
.edu or .ac.uk = education (education, often a university)