redibility online is that frequently obtains top
becoming more and more of ranking in search engines as a
an issue. Anyone can have a reference source. How many
blog or post to a forum and Wikipedia readers realize that
anyone can edit wiki entries. Web Wikipedia can be edited by anyone
surfers are beginning to at anytime, regardless of their
comprehend that just because it qualifications.
is in print does not necessarily
mean that it is true. In fact, in The concept of using peers to
today's online world, the review posts is not without
collective truth might be the problems, while obvious vandalism
closest thing we can get to the is often quickly addressed, minor
real truth. Peer policing and inaccuracies can remain for a
social bookmarking have become fairly long time. Perhaps,
common in the online world. persistence is the key. How many
of us have the time to constantly
Human nature invariably prompts a make corrections to a reference
level of trust;if it is written, source? Perhaps the differences
it must be true. We live in a are mere nuances, or perhaps a
generation where we expect difference of opinion. In the
authors, editors and publishers case of a wiki preservation of
that are qualified to write on the reference is subjected to a
various topics. What democratic process or even worse,
qualifications are required to mere persistence. Will historical
post a blog, write an online perspectives on hot political
article, or edit a wiki? Some web issues on Wikipedia be reflected
surfers may find the answer by the most persistent group in
startling: None. Expertise is no the future?
longer a prerequisite. Wikipedia
is a popular online reference, The Internet is an evolving
medium and unlike encyclopedia or the nature of content on the
a reference book it is not Internet. Students should be
static. While it is easy to taught to not only cite their
determine the age of an sources, but also to establish
encyclopedia, tracking a web the expertise of their source.
page's origin is far more This might seem excessive, but
complex. Syndication further students should second source all
complicates content credibility. items and assign a level of
While the original webmaster credibility to their sources.
might be diligent in keeping
information accurate and up to 2. Full Disclosure
date. The accuracy of archives Like traditional journalists,
and syndicated content becomes a bloggers, publishers, and
quagmire. There is no guarantee webmasters should fully disclose
that each syndicated copy will relationships and expertise when
remain accurate, or up to date. writing about a specific field or
As the original publisher has no providing advice on a topic where
control over the content. Should they have a personal interest.
webmasters and publishers avoid Publications and publishers
phrases that are not date should always maintain
specific "This year there were" transparency between
moving to a more formal "In 2006 advertisements and editorial
there were "? content.
Suggested steps that will lead to 3. Establish Sources
improved online credibility: As in life we build confidence
through relationships, so too, we
1. Education need to build relationships in
It is critical that we educate the online communities. Sources
both adults and youngsters about which have provided accurate
information over time, should be due to the passage of time, is no
assessed as more reliable than longer an accurate reflection of
new sources. While search engines current trends. Any statistical
are working to develop algorithms information should be framed with
to assess the quality of a dates in which the data was
website's content , nothing can collected. Additionally all
be a replacement for personal factual information should be
experiences over an extended framed with dates.
period of time. If a source has
provided misleading or incorrect The vast majority of research
information, treat the source as conducted today uses the Internet
unreliable. as a primary source. It is
critical that the data being
4. Date Content collected online is an accurate
Quality publishers should make an reflection of facts and is not
effort to date content. Perhaps merely conjecture, opinion, or
the statistical information was old information.
accurate at one point in time but
About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for NotePage http://www.notepage.net a wireless text messaging software company.
Read more articles by:
S. Housley
Article Source: www.iSnare.com
