The readings for the week identified five questions for evaluating the credibility of online sources(quoted below):
1.What is the purpose and affiliation of the organization or author related to the article?
2.what are the author's credentials?
3.Is the information current? When was the information last updated?
4.Does the information cross-reference well with other sources?
5.Does the source cantain bias without evidence to back up the claims?
How might researcher go about seeking answers to the above questions?
Except for 4, most of the answers can be found in the content of the source. For 4, you need to find other sources on the same topic.
As an example, try psychological articles on my web site, http://www.members.cox.net/dagershaw/index.html.
I hope this helps. Thanks for asking.
To seek answers to the questions mentioned in evaluating the credibility of online sources, researchers can follow these steps:
1. Purpose and affiliation of the organization or author: To determine the purpose and affiliation of the organization or author, researchers can look for an "About" page or section on the website. This section typically provides information about the organization's mission, goals, and any affiliations or partnerships they may have. Additionally, conducting a separate internet search on the organization or author can provide further insights into their background and any potential bias.
2. Author's credentials: Researchers can search for the author's name and credentials, both within the article itself and using external search engines. Look for information about their education, experience, and expertise in the relevant field. Academic journals and research papers usually include author credentials, making it easier to evaluate their expertise.
3. Information currency: Check for the publication or update date of the article, which is usually mentioned at the top or bottom of the page. If it is not readily available, researchers can also look for a "Last Updated" or "Published On" date. For more dynamic websites without clear timestamps, checking if the content mentions recent events or refers to up-to-date statistics can give an idea of its currency.
4. Cross-referencing with other sources: Researchers should compare the information from the source with other reputable sources on the same topic. This can involve accessing academic databases, scholarly articles, books, reputable news publications, and established websites specializing in the subject matter. Look for consistency, agreement, and corroboration of facts and claims across different sources.
5. Bias and evidence-based claims: Researchers should critically analyze the source for any signs of bias or lack of evidence to back up claims. This involves considering the language used, the tone of the article, and the presence of emotional appeals or opinions disguised as facts. To counterbalance bias, researchers should gather information from a variety of sources with different perspectives to form a more comprehensive understanding of the topic.
It's important to note that cross-referencing and evaluating online sources require critical thinking and discernment. Researchers should not rely solely on a single source and should question and verify information using multiple reputable sources to ensure the credibility and accuracy of the information they use.