Part of research is locating and deciding what information to include in your paper or assignment. However, not all information is created equally, and you should evaluate each resource thoroughly to determine its integrity. Information resources reflect not only their creators' expertise, but their credibility as well. When selecting an article, evaluate based on your information needs and the context that the information will be used.
Authority is constructed. Meaning, that different types of communities value different types of authority or expertise.
For example: A community of casual readers may give authority to websites or apps like GoodReads to select what books to read in a book club. Whereas, a community of professional authors may give authority to other authors, publishers, or professional reviews and overlook GoodReads.
Authority is contextual in that the information need may determine the level of authority.
For example: A student may rely on the authority of professional art historians through their scholarly writing in traditionally published books as they write about the life of a deceased artist. However, if the student decides to write about a living artist, they may rely on the authority of the artist and their community through informal interviews, even if the artist and their community are not professional art historians or critics.
Information has value. Meaning that some information, depending on its author, source, and timeliness, is more credible than others. Depending on what your information needs are, how you value information will change. It's important to recognize why you are searching for specific information and the context you will use it in. It's important to use information responsibly and to avoid the entrapment of spreading misinformation. To do so, evaluate the information critically and look beyond the surface level to determine its credibility and truthfulness before using it in papers, assignments, or personal projects.
Fake News, Propaganda, and Plain Old Lies by 
