07 Nov Determining the Credibility of an Online Source
Anyone who has had plenty of experience knows that any information they find online needs to be taken with a grain of salt. This is due to the fact that anyone can say whatever they want online, whether it is true or not. This is why it is important to learn how to determine if an online source is credible.
The first thing to look at when determining if a source is credible, is the source itself. Does the site that has posted the information have any connection to the information it is discussing. For instance, if a site for a dentist office posts about the benefits of flossing, than you could probably trust the source. However, if the same site is posting something along the lines of legal advice, you should find a different, more credible source.
Next, you should look at whether or not the source is biased. Just because information is biased, does not necessarily mean that it is untrue, just that the info may be misconstrued. Biased sources will often only present information that supports their cause or belief. This often leads to readers only getting half of the story.
Now consider where the article was posted. Was it on some random person’s blog, or was it on a national news paper’s site? One of those sources has proven itself to be reliable and trustworthy over the years, where the other has probably never proven that it knows what it is talking about.
By taking a close look at the source, you will be able to determine if the information being provided is accurate or not. Once you have determined the credibility of a source, you will be able to make an informed decision.