Some research topics will require more up-to-date information than do others. (For example, scientific topics tend to require more current sources than do many humanities-focused topics.)
Audience
For whom is the source intended?
What is the publication's purpose or scope?
Is this a scholarly or popular source? A professional/trade journal?
Relevance
What does the source add to an understanding of your topic or argument?
How does the source relate to other information you have found?
How does the source relate to yourideas or argument?
Is there a list of references? It can point you to other relevant sources.
Authorship
What are the authors' credentials or background in this area?
Has this author written other articles, papers, reports or books on this same topic?
Bias
Does the author present multiple sides of issues??
Has this author provided sufficient evidence?
Does the author use highly charged or emotional language?
(Almost all sources have some degree of bias. A well-reasoned argument, however, considers multiple viewpoints.)