Final answer:
Reading laterally involves opening new tabs to cross-check information from a primary source against external resources. This technique is used to verify the credibility and reputation of the original site's content by seeking authoritative external sources and reviews.
Step-by-step explanation:
When reading laterally, one does indeed leave a website and opens new tabs along a horizontal axis. This strategy is employed to use the resources of the Internet more effectively to learn about a site and its claims. The process often involves investigating the authorship, credentials and other analyses provided by external sources, thereby ensuring a broader understanding and verification of the information presented. It stands in contrast to vertically reading into a single source without cross-checking.
This technique is part of a broader set of strategies to ensure the credibility of online information. In essence, instead of deeply engaging with the original website, readers seek out other sources that can provide context, reviews, or critiques, which helps in better understanding the reliability and reputation of the original content.Checking the reputation of the sites and finding authoritative sources to back up the claims further strengthens the validity of the information being researched. This means prioritizing academic sources, checking the site's reviews, and evaluations by trusted parties.