You should always evaluate the information included in your assignments. One way to evaluate information is to use the CRAAP test:

Currency: 

• How recently was the information posted or published?
• Has the information been updated or revised recently?
• Is your topic one where older historical information is appropriate or do you need the most current information you can find?

Relevance:

• How does your topic relate to the information in the source you're considering?
• Is the information at the appropriate, neither too advanced nor too basic, level for your assignment?

Authority:

• Who is the author, publisher, or sponsor of the source?
• Are they qualified to write on the topic?
• Does the source provide contact information for the author or publisher?

Accuracy:

• Where does the information come from?
• Is it supported by evidence?
• Has it been vetted by others in the profession, such as in a peer reviewed or refereed journal?
• Can you verify the information in another source?
• Is it written with unemotional, unbiased tone and language?
• Is the information well-written, free of grammatical and typographic errors? 

Purpose:

• What is the purpose of the information source you are considering?
• Is the author teaching, persuading, entertaining, or possibly selling something?
• Is the purpose of the source clear?
• What biases can you see in the source?

Additional resources: