Superficial Markers of Credibility

Read the "About Us" on the site.

Is the information current?

Are there citations?

Does the site have ads?

Why it matters

Why it matters

Why it matters

Is it a .com or a .org?

Why it matters

Superficial Markers of CredibilityWhen evaluating online sources, the old rules are out.

Why it matters

You were most likely taught to evaluate websites using the above markers. While these can be helpful, they are no longer adequate in today's rapidly changing information landscape.

Domain extension alone is not a definitive indicator of reliability or credibility.

While some .orgs are reliable (pewresearch.org), some are biased or partisan (911truth.org). Remember, anyone can purchase either a .org or .com domain, regardless of their organization type or intent.

Some of the most authoritative news websites are .coms with ads

These include the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. Your job is to determine that the primary focus of any website you are using is on providing high-quality, well-researched, and informative content.

A well-crafted "About Us" section can be a deceiving indicator of credibility.

Remember, the company or organization itself usually writes the "About Us" page.The"About Us" page should provide an authentic representation of the company's identity, values, and mission. Be sure to consider it alongside other factors to determine credibility.

Non-credible websites often include citations back to articles on the same site.

This is called self-citation or internal linking and can be problematic. Excessive self-referencing without external sources can be a red flag for credibility. It can create a closed loop of information that isn't independently verified.

Currency can be important for many topics, but NEWEST sources are not always the best source.

Initial reports often contain inaccuracies that are corrected over time as more facts are verified. Sometimes, it takes time to conduct thorough research and draw well-supported conclusions.