I'm constantly researching things online, and I almost in a subconscious manner evaluate the credibility of the source. Obiously, if the website is from an establish news source, professional journal, etc. then you can trace the credibility back to that of the provider. With such websites you still have to use the questioning eye that is appropiate to judge traditional media.
In many other cases, however, the author is a private individual, and then you have to scrutinize the content with a more suspicious eye. Firstly, I look at whether or not the person is trying to sell me something or otherwise profit from their website. In the case that they are, everything must be taken with a grain of salt, and I try to look for neutral sources to confirm or deny that which I find to be important. Even when it is a neutral source, I have to evaluate what credentials and expertise that the author has to speak about the topic with any authority. Also I judge if they are someone who is very strongly opionated, and thus might tend to slant the truth.
Wikipedia is of course a great source to find general information about just about anything. The built in process of peer review is very effective, but it is critical to go back to the cited sources for anything that is questionable or controversial.
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Jason brings up great points regarding information validity on websites. When evaluating basic factual information, the kind that would be published in an encyclopedia for example, I would look for a credentialed news site. On the other hand, opinions are just that. The internet has opened up the ability for anyone, and I emphasize anyone, to make outrageous statements or postulations about any possible subject known to mankind. Citing these open and often incessant ramblings will come at the risk of the writer’s own credibility. Even now I feel like I am articulating points that will be on a public forum that may offer no constructive information to anyone who reads what could also be categorized as an openly incessant rambling. So in conclusion, I agree and I am going to stop writing now.
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