Business Research - the basics

You know you are going to use Google for you research.  Google is a great resource for finding free information. However, you need to be aware of what you are looking at:

• Who created the page? 
• What is the purpose of the page?
• What is the point of view of the page?
• Is the page updated or static?
• Are references provided?
• Can you locate other articles or data that corroborate you information?

Also, please be aware that Google may not be able to answer all of your information needs.

CURRENCY:

• Modern, historical, timeless
• New event, historical precedence
• Do they even provide a date?

RELIABILITY:

• Just someone's OPINION
• Bias, agenda, perspective
• Transparency
• Author provide citations for quotes or data?

AUTHORITY:

• Who wrote/created it?
• Credentials, i.e. author's education, experience, affiliation? 
• Who is the publisher, university, think tank...?
• Does their experience match their topic?

POINT OF VIEW:

• Article's intent, i.e., to sell or persuade.
• What is the web domain, i.e. .gov, .com. .org., .edu.
• Are there ads present?
• Is the author presenting fact or opinion?