Most viewers would find it difficult to trust a TV news anchor they couldn't see. In fact, when news programs replace an anchorperson, they usually follow a very deliberate process of announcing the change and helping viewers adjust to the idea. In a nation like the United States where the press has played such a critical role in sustaining trust in the government's actions--or revealing missteps and corruption when it happens, citizens depend on the familiar faces of their favorite news programs to help them understand what's behind critical issues.
When you look for information about an issue, you should take similar care regarding the credibility of sources. To identify credible sources, look for the following information:
| An author |
When an author's name is provided in a byline, you know that he or she is willing to stand behind the statements in the article. Knowing the author's name can also help you identify a frame of reference and any potential sources of bias. An academic author or a nationally recognized political columnist automatically gains some credibility since that person's reputation depends on maintaining the respect of colleagues. |
| A publication date | Was this material published back in the 1990s, and if so, does it still hold true today? The more recent data you can find, the more relevant it will be to the issue in its current state. Data and analysis that is more than 15 years old is unlikely to be useful and may no longer be accurate. |
| Citations | A credible article will include citations identifying the original sources of facts or quotations within the text. It's important to remember, though, that citations don't always take the form of footnotes. Many publications use a more modern style that simply refers to sources with the text of the article. |
| Reliable domains |
Web addresses ending in .edu and .gov indicate websites that are owned and maintained by a recognized college or university (.edu) or the government (.gov). The articles and other information on these websites is generally fact-checked and is also reviewed and updated on a regular basis. You can easily return results from these types of websites by simply adding the domain to your existing search terms. Websites ending in .com, .org, and .net can be owned or written by anyone. This doesn’t necessarily make them unreliable, but you should take additional steps to verify the information found on sites in these domains. |
Another strategy that is often underrated these days is to trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right about a source, don’t be afraid to ask for a second opinion from a teacher, friend, or a trusted adult.
Put these suggestions into practice by completing the section of your worksheet labeled Part 4: Evaluate the Evidence.
