COM 110: Interpersonal Communication

Use these questions to determine whether the source is credible. Many websites are not "good" or "bad," but somewhere in the middle. These questions will help you decide whether the website is trustworthy.

Who created it?

• Who wrote or created the content?
• Is there an "about us" page? What does it tell you about who created the content?
• Are they an expert on the topic? How can you tell if they're an expert? [Tip: Google their name to see if you can find out anything else about them.]
• Example: A health article on nutrition from the Mayo Clinic website, written by a licensed nutritionist, is more credible than a blog post on a health food company website.

When was it created?

• When was the web page created? Or do you know when it was last updated?
• Was it published recently? Can you tell how old the information is? [Tip: For some topics, this is very important.]
• Example: A technology news article updated within the past month would be more up-to-date (and credible) than a social media post from 2020.

Who sponsors the information?

• Who funds the web page?
• Is there an "about us" page? What does it tell you about the organization sponsoring the information?
• Do they have any conflicts of interest? [Tip: Google the organization to see if you can find any other information about them.]
• Example: An article that includes exercise guidelines from the American Heart Association, funded by a reputable nonprofit, is different than a fitness blog that recommends a specific protein powder and is sponsored by the company that makes it.

Is it relevant to the current need?

• Is the information relevant to your topic or assignment? 
• What is the purpose of the website or information? Entertainment? Education? Something else?
• Example: Relevancy is contextual! A peer-reviewed article on climate change would likely be more credible than a news source on hybrid cars for a Biology paper. But the news source could be more relevant for a marketing class if you're researching changes in market share.

Is it correct or well-supported?

• Does the source cite other sources or provide evidence?
• Can you verify the information using other sources?
• Example: A science article that references peer-reviewed studies is more accurate than a social media post making bold claims without any sources.

Knowing what's quality information and what's not is a challenge now that so much of it is online. It's important to remember that all news has an element of bias. Journalists will naturally and unwittingly choose to include certain pieces of information and leave out others, creating a story that is unique to their style and experience.  

In some cases, news publications have a clear agenda and will choose to only cover or report information that falls into certain categories. In others, you can read a more balanced spread of news that covers a wide array of perspectives. Knowing the context of an article can help you determine how you use it. As you read pay attention to a few characteristics that may hint at an overly biased news article:

• Word Choice
• Tone
• Omission of Facts

If you notice a journalist using extravagant words, a non-objective tone, or selectively using facts to prove a point, look elsewhere for your news.