Final answer:
The crucial step in determining the credibility of a source is finding corroboration to verify its claims. This involves cross-referencing the information with other reliable sources and using reading laterally to compare data and narratives.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the credibility of a source, the crucial step is c) Finding corroboration to verify claims. It's important to investigate whether a website's information is supported by other reliable sources and fits within the wider scholarly narrative. This process involves checking the author's credibility, ensuring information is cited, and if necessary, consulting experts like librarians. You can also search for reviews or critiques of the site and authors, and check if reputable sources approve the website. This is part of a strategy known as reading laterally, which helps to assess the validity of a claim by looking at its presence across various sources.
Corroboration among multiple sources is key to confirming the accuracy of information presented. The process of cross-referencing data and the consistency between sources is a significant aspect of academic research and a fundamental part of critical thinking.