Online Credibility and Digital Ethos: Approaches for Evaluating and Incorporating Networked Information in the Digital Age

Shawn P. Apostel, Eastern Kentucky University
Moe Folk, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Abstract

With the near-ubiquity of smartphones, tablets, and laptops, access to acquiring and publishing online information has never been easier; however, with this advance in information technology comes new challenges for content providers to establish credibility and for students, researchers, and consumers to develop effective ways of evaluating online credibility. For example, students and instructors in writing classes across the world face challenges in creating research projects that did not exist even a decade ago. These issues are not just affecting American universities; therefore, this book addresses an international audience by offering approaches to evaluating the credibility of digital sources, including specific advice that can be gleaned from popular websites, and techniques useful for a wide variety of digital genres.