Question

Writing a scientific paper requires credible sources. Science does not show bias, but humans tend to show bias. There are sites and articles that provide facts without proper scientific evidence. Avoid taking information from them. You must be able to identify reliable sites so the data in your presentation is credible.

What is a credible source?

A. Most sources that end in .gov (government sites) are reliable.

B. Sites ending in .edu can also be trustworthy, but sometimes students, not scientists, write the information.

C. Some .org and .com sites are credible, but you need to analyze the contents to verify their credibility.

D. All of the above.

Answer 1

A credible source is any publication or site that is reliable, trustworthy, and unbiased, like government, educational, and some organizational and commercial websites. Authoritative information is often found in peer-reviewed academic publications, but reputable journalistic and nonacademic sources are also valuable. Always ensure that sources are clearly cited and information can be corroborated.

Step-by-step explanation:

A credible source is one that is reliable, trustworthy, and unbiased, providing information that can be confirmed by other reputable sources. Option D, 'All of the above,' encompasses the aspects of credible sources mentioned in the question. Government sites (.gov) are generally reliable as they provide official information. Education sites (.edu) are also considered credible, although one must be cautious as some content could be authored by students. Sites with .org and .com extensions can vary in credibility, necessitating a thorough verification of their content. Additional signs of credibility include clear citations of information, corroboration by other sources, and recognition by academic institutions or libraries.

When determining if a source is credible, you should look at who is producing the information, whether it is adequately cited, how it fits into larger academic discussions, and if you can validate the information presented through fact-checking. Peer-reviewed academic publications are the gold standard for authoritative information, but nonacademic texts from reputable newspapers, magazines, academic and professional journals, and government publications can also serve as credible sources. These might provide a broader perspective on current events and topics not yet thoroughly discussed in academic circles. Remember to consult librarians and use online academic databases to locate credible sources for your research.