Information resources reflect their creators' expertise and credibility, and are evaluated based on the information need and the context in which the information will be used. Authority is constructed in that various communities may recognize different types of authority. It is contextual in that a reader's information need may help to determine the level of authority required for a given situation.
What this can mean for Hostos students:
- The criteria for determining an "authoritative source" for students' research will depend largely on the kind of question they're seeking to answer.
- When we help students consider why some information creators have more authority than others, and consider how context affects that evaluation, we strengthen their ability to read critically.
- We can also help students to recognize that as researchers and writers, they are developing their own authority on a particular topic, and to realize that certain responsibilities come with that authority, such as seeking out accurate and reliable information and respecting others' intellectual property.
