What’s Authority?

When evaluating a source, it is natural to consider who created it. Is the person an expert? Are they competent? Are they trustworthy?

Keep in mind that though we are using “author” as a central noun in this lesson, this also applies to other types of creators such as filmmakers. These considerations can also be applied to an expert quoted or referenced in your source, even if that person is not themselves the author. Finally, you may wish to carefully consider the authority of any organizations or publications that host, present, fund, or otherwise support the creation and distribution of the source material.

There are three factors to keep in mind when evaluating the authority of an author:

1) Expertise

The word “expertise” refers to the level of experience and training someone has received. A novice will not have the same depth of knowledge as someone who has worked for years to refine their knowledge in the field.

Consider:

• How many years has the author worked in this field?
• What sort of roles or job titles has the author held in this field?
• What degrees, certifications, or other training has the author completed?

2) Competence

On the other hand, “competence” refers to the author’s skill level. Indicators of competence can vary from field to field, but include promotions, awards, demonstrations of skill (such as written work and presentations), and reviews.

Consider:

• What indicators of performance and competence exist in this person’s field?
• Has the author received any acclaim or (in contrast) criticisms?
• How often has the author’s work been cited and used in other publications?

3) Credibility

Finally, “credibility” refers to how reliable the author is. They may have expertise in the field, they may be competent at their work, but do you trust them?

All the training and experience in the world does not help if the person cannot be trusted to accurately represent facts, avoid bias, and avoid logical fallacies. (See "Evaluate Sources" for more on deciphering bias, perspective, and logical fallacies.)

Consider:

• Does the author speak in factual statements (which can be disputed or agreed with) or opinions only?
• How do peers of the author view their work?