A large amount of information is provided on the Internet. In using information on the Internet, it is important to be aware that the quality of information on the Web varies tremendously. Any content can be loaded onto the Web. Consumers should be concerned with distinguishing between sites that offer accurate and useful information and those that do not. Three basic criteria that can be used to evaluate information include usability, authorship, and content validity.
Usability is the ability of a person to use something.
In regard to CAI provided on the Internet, this means the ability of users to learn what they want to know. The important aspects of web site usability include navigation, readability, comprehension, and speed of completion. Authorship means the Web sites should present the information about authors, such as the author's qualifications which are relevant to the content, contact information, and copyright. Furthermore, they should present sponsoring institutions. Content validity means how reliable and free from error the information is.