To determine if an online source is credible, a person conducting research should consider multiple factors, including:
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Determine whether multiple sources are used by the author: This can indicate thorough research and reliability if the author corroborates their information with various trusted sources.
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Check the links listed as sources to see if they are trustworthy: Assessing the credibility of the cited sources can provide insight into the reliability of the information presented.
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Evaluate whether the information is connected to the argument being researched: Ensuring the relevance of the information to the specific argument can help in establishing its credibility and helpfulness.
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Make note of whether the source includes statistics: While the presence of statistics can enhance credibility, it’s important to verify that the statistics are sourced properly and used within context.
Considering these aspects collectively will help determine the credibility of an online source; however, if one must choose just one as the best initial approach, checking the links listed as sources to see if they are trustworthy is critical, as it directly addresses the reliability of the information provided.