These are just a few key things to consider when evaluating the credibility of online sources.
First, check the author and the publisher. The author should have expertise in their field. The publisher can tell you a lot about the context and help you evaluate the motives behind the piece. Whether it comes from a non-profit organization, the government, or an established journal, the origin of the article is important.
Second, be aware of biases when evaluating accuracy. Make sure the claims that are made can be backed up by evidence, and always check multiple sources. Is the piece based in fact or opinion? Is the author or publisher affiliated with any organizations that might benefit?
Lastly, always evaluate the purpose of the article. It is important to know who the piece is intended for. Is the intended audience scholarly? Or is the article intended for the general public? It’s also worth inspecting what the intended outcome is. It may exist for information or to teach something, but it may also exist to persuade or sell a product. These are all relevant when evaluating the overall credibility of the source.
Overall, there are many things to look for, but with practice it becomes easy to spot when an article is not genuine. Misinformation is all around us, so we must be wary of the information that we readily accept.