How to Tell if a Website is Credible
Overview
You will learn how to assess the credibility of sources.
Credible Sources
When you read, you should make sure that what you are reading comes from a credible source. Credible sources are trustworthy, meaning you know that what you are reading is true.
Why Should You Use Credible Sources?
No matter what kind of information you’re looking for, you should always look for credible sources. You want to make sure that you are getting the most accurate and reputable information available.
In other words, you need to make sure that what you are reading is factual and correct!
Is It Credible?
To figure out if a source is credible, you can ask a few simple questions about the text and where it came from. If you have trouble finding the answers to these questions, it may be a sign that your source isn’t credible. You can ask:
- Who is the author of the source?
- Where was the source published?
- What information does the source include and what does it look like?
- When was the source published or updated?
- Why did the author create the source?
Who is the author?
“Who is the author of the source?” is one of the most important questions to ask when assessing credibility.
When looking at the author of the source, you should make sure it is someone who is an expert in the topic.
You can check this by looking to see if the author:
- is respected in the field
- has degrees related to the topic
- has published other books/articles on the topic
You may need to do some research outside of the source in order to find this information.
Where Was It Published?
The publisher is also important to keep in mind when you assess credibility. Some publishers have better reputations than others, because they have strict standards for what they put out.
When looking at the publisher, you should check that it is:
- A well-respected organization (University presses are often credible)
- Selective with what they publish
Some publishers, like Wikipedia, will let anyone share information. You need to be more careful with these sources.
What Information Does the Source Include?
As a critical reader, you need to evaluate the actual information in the source. If the source doesn’t make sense, doesn’t include enough information, has spelling errors, or doesn’t seem correct, this is probably not a credible source of information.
When Was the Source Created?
When assessing credibility, you want to make sure that your sources are up-to-date. Research changes constantly, and we’re always learning new things about the world.
Make sure that the sources you use were created or updated recently, so you can be sure the information is accurate.
Why Was the Source Created?
Understanding the author’s purpose tells you a lot about a source’s credibility.
If the source was written to persuade or convince readers of something, you need to be careful! These sources may be biased, or leave out important information. If you think this is the case, you’ll need to double check with more sources to make sure the information is accurate.
Evaluating Source Credibility Example
We often research to find information about making healthy choices. But, how do we know that the information we’re reading is coming from experts?
One topic that people are concerned about are GMOs, or genetically modified foods. We’re not really sure what effects these foods have on us. Let’s check out the website, FactsAboutGMOs.org to see if it is a credible source of information.
As you skim the website, ask yourself the following questions to see if the source is credible:
- Who is the author of the source?
- Where was the source published?
- What information does the source include and what does the source look like?
- When was the source published or updated?
- Why did the author create the source?
Who Are The Author and Publisher?
There is no specific author mentioned on this website. That could be okay if it comes from a reputable publisher, though.
If you scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page, you’ll see the line, “A Project of The Grocery Manufacturers Association.”
Some quick research tells me that this is an association that supports big food companies – companies that sell foods with genetically modified ingredients. This is a BIG ALERT. The information on this site may be influenced by these companies.
If your source has no author but does have a reputable publisher, this guide on citing a website with no author can help you create that type of citation in MLA, APA, or Chicago style.
What Information Does the Source Include?
There are a lot of links to studies and other sources on this website. This is a good sign.
However, when you look at the type of information and the kinds of studies, you can only find information about how GMOs are safe and good for the world. This website clearly only represents one point of view.
When Was This Source Created?
There is no date on this website, so it is hard to tell how recently it was created. However, if you click the links, you can see that the most current information is from a few years ago. So this website is not current. Although the information is not entirely out-of-date since it was within in the last 5 years, there is probably more recent information available elsewhere.
Why Was the Source Created?
At first glance, this source looks like it was created to present people with facts about GMOs. However, remember that:
- The people behind it want us to buy GMO foods
- Only one point of view is represented
These facts lead you to believe that this website was created to persuade. We’ll have to be careful and double check the information with less biased sources!
Is it Credible?
You’ll have to be careful if you use information from this website to form your final opinion.
There are some credible studies linked and a lot of recent information, but the publisher, purpose, and one-sided information are big red flags.
Conclusion
You learned:
- How to ask questions about a source in order to determine credibility
- How do I know if a website source is credible?
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Many factors determine whether a given website source is credible or not. A few key features that you need to consider are given below:
Origin of the website
Check if the website is created by a trustworthy organization or author. You can identify the author from the URL or from the copyright information.
Check if the author is related to the topic or field that he or she is talking about.
Check if the content is bias-free and does not promote any product or idea.
Correctness
Validate the accuracy of the information stated against other reliable sources.
Check if there are any disclaimers.
Date the content was published or updated
For topics that evolve continuously, you need to have updated information. Therefore, see the uploaded date, revised date, or updated date to identify if the source is the most recent one.
For some topics, like those that are historical in nature, older resources can still be valid.
Thoroughness
Check if the website provides all the information you need.
Verify that it covers the subject matter in detail.
Examine if it provides examples.
- What are examples of credible sources?
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Many factors determine whether a given source is credible or not. If a source meets any of the following criteria, then it is considered credible.
Well-known authors
If an author of a source is well known in his or her field, you can consider the source credible. You can trust the source.
Databases
Databases that store research articles can be considered credible, as they store scholarly articles. There are many such online databases. You can access them to get relevant information. A few examples of trustworthy online databases are listed below:
PubMed
JSTOR
ERIC
Scopus
Government sites
You will get authentic information from government websites. Websites ending with “.gov” and “.edu” are usually reliable sources. Some examples of credible websites are given below:
Science.gov
US Census Bureau
The National Bureau of Economic Research