what makes one source more credible than another?
Facts
Verifyible data
Peer reviews
Accurate observations
Concsise statements
In other words, a source needs to be able to stand up to skeptical analysis. Sometimes it's impossible to provide a reliable source. This leaves the door open to speculation.
Lance is right. All the things he lists are criteria for reliability in sources, including the idea that it's not always possible to absolutely prove reliability.
Here is a website that discusses how to determine reliability in websites:
http://www.sou.edu/library/searchtools/evaluate.html
Common sense comes into play, too -- if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Use your head; you'll probably be right.
=)
In addition to Lance's comments, one other thought about veracity, and reputation of the source.
If the leader of the free world came on TV, and claimed that North Korea was on a massive nuclear weapons delivery program, and was stockpiling chemical and biological weapons for attack against american forces, and was training terrorists with the help of Osama bin Laden for world wide terrorism. Would this statement have credibility? Please, no politics, I offer it as an example...the same thing happened to Henny Penny when the sky was falling.
So, add veracity of the source to Lance's list.
Veracity, as mentioned by Lance, is indeed an important factor in determining the credibility of a source. Veracity refers to the truthfulness or credibility of the source itself. If the source has a history of presenting accurate information and has built a reputation for being trustworthy, then it is more likely to be considered credible. On the other hand, if the source has been known to spread misinformation or has a biased agenda, it may be a red flag for credibility.
To evaluate the veracity of a source, you can consider factors such as:
1. Reputation: Research the background and track record of the source. Are they known for journalistic integrity, academic rigor, or reliable reporting?
2. Objective Reporting: Look for sources that strive for neutrality and present information in an unbiased manner. Avoid sources that heavily editorialize or promote a particular agenda.
3. Fact-checking: Check if the source fact-checks its information and provides evidence or references to support its claims.
4. Peer Review: In scientific research or academic fields, peer-reviewed journals or articles are considered more credible because they undergo a rigorous review process by experts in the field.
5. Transparency: Credible sources are transparent about their sources of information, methodology, and potential conflicts of interest.
Remember, it's essential to consider multiple sources and cross-reference information to get a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of a topic. Critical thinking and skepticism are valuable skills when assessing the credibility of sources in the age of misinformation.