There are many ways to evaluate a source but the key to each of them is thinking critically about who wrote the piece, why it was created, what the publication process may have been like to give you clues as to the authority and accuracy, and consider any bias or incentives that may take away from the credibility of the source. Three of the more common methods for evaluating sources are listed in the tabs below: 5 W's, CRAAP, and BEAM.
Is a company going to put out a press release that makes them look at fault? Whatever evaluation method you decide to use, think about bias and what bias the author might have for or against the crisis situation at hand.
Currency: the timeliness of the information
Relevance: the importance of the information for your needs
Authority: the source of the information
Accuracy: the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content
Purpose: the reason the information exists
Background Sources - Materials that provide an overview of a topic, such as core concepts and facts
Exhibit Sources - Materials a writer is interpreting or analyzing
Argument Sources - Information from other authors you agree with, disagree with, or build upon
Method Sources - Materials an author follows to determine how they are doing their research