It is incredibly important to evaluate your information sources as you go through the research process. Not all information is reliable, or for that matter, true. And while some information might be reliable and true, it might not serve the purpose of your own project or paper. Although the following "General Information" tab is in regards to evaluating websites, it can also be used for other forms of media as well.
While following some general criteria like what is listed on the Evaluating Websites guide is helpful, you also need to learn how to do something called "lateral reading." The following video from the University of Louisville Libraries helps explain this concept.