How to Assess Authority

Alright, it is easy enough to say we should consider an author’s expertise, competence, and credibility… but, how do we do that?

Here are three methods to assess authority:

1) Lateral Reading

Investigating an author (and/or the company or publisher that promotes the work) is easier than ever thanks to the internet. This allows you to conduct what is called “lateral reading” to learn about the creation and reputation of the source.

Consider: are the author’s claimed credentials and affiliations accurate? Look at not just the author’s personal website and LinkedIn profile — check to see if they are listed as an employee (or board member, volunteer, etc.) at the organizations and institutions that they claim affiliation with.

Look for other sources by the author or publisher — do they seem credible as well or are there red flags (such as poorly written work, divisive language, or inaccurate information)?

2) Domain Types

You may also wish to examine the internet domain of where you found the source (eg: .edu, .com, .net, .gov, etc). A .gov source is sponsored by the US Government. Meanwhile, an .org means a non-profit organization, .com is a commercial organization, and .edu is an educational institution. It would be overly simplistic to say that an author is reliable or not based solely on the domain that they published on; for example, non-profits may be biased and .edu websites may host unreliable student work. However, the domain can provide clues as to the creation process.

3) Reviews

Finally, consider the professional reputation of the author. Examine professional reviews of the author’s work and look for articles that may have been published in response to or rebuttal of the work. While one negative or positive review can be inconclusive, take seriously any patterns or general consensus that you identify from professional peers.