Criteria Used to Evaluate the Credibility of Information Source

Criteria Used To Evaluate the Credibility of Information Source

New Student

MGT

May 1, 2009

New Teacher

Internet use has dramatically increased over the past decade. The Internet puts information at your fingertips, and has the largest quantity of information than any other library source. However, not all Internet material originates from creditable sources. Fortunately, there are standards available to test the creditability of internet and information sources. This discussion examines methods to identify internet and information sources.

Experts describe four main components to determine creditability of information sources. These components include: credentialing, impartiality, style/tone, and currency. Each component or criterion is composed of a specific set of questions to examine the information sources. The questionnaire is much like putting the information source to the test. When the questionnaire is complete the information sources are rated by the answers they produce.

Credentialing

Credentialing involves examining the qualifications of the creator. The credibility of the information depends upon the qualification of the author. Credibility is connected to the knowledge and seriousness of the individual. Other information to research about the author includes publications, affiliations, verification of material, and the author contact information.

Impartiality

Impartiality is sometimes referred to as objectivity. The voice of the writer should convey impartiality and fairness. However, authors often have hidden agendas with intentions to sell a product, or a point of view.

Many writers use the internet to display their material, as marketing and advertising is the major commodity of the internet. Fortunately, this reality stimulated experts to design the criteria to evaluate Internet and information sources

Style and Tone

In identifying the criteria for creditable information sources one must...