Newbie Tuesday! - Credible Sources
1. When and why do we need to put sources in our Mahalo answers?
2. How do you find credible sources?
3. What makes an online source credible?
4. What are your favorite go to places for credible information?
5. How do URL suffixes effect credibility?
**Bonus for the funniest LolCat pic :)
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M$5 Answers
Putting sources in your Mahalo answer helps back up the information you have used. Adding a source to any answer, even an opinion or thought can be useful. Not only can it determine whether or not you get a best answer (which is always nice to receive) it gives readers the chance to dive deeper into the information you have provided, as well as knowing that you have done your research and haven’t just pulled your answer out of a hat.
2. How do you find credible sources?
Credible sources can vary a site that ranks high on Google or even Bing can be deemed a more credible site. Things that are sourced themselves, whether it is from a book or another website. Websites that seem to be jumbled, tossed together and sound like someone who hasn’t the slightest idea of what they are writing about, may not be the best option, but don’t be afraid to double check with a peer for an opinion on any site you may come across!
3. What makes an online source credible?
I guess I sort of answered this one in question 2, but something that is backed up with sources, ranks high on a search engine, or even has great reviews from credible review websites can suffice.
4. What are your favorite go to places for credible information?
I always use Google, with Google I know the top sites will be given to me as soon as I hit the search button, also being able to narrow things down with the advanced search is a big plus, anything to help sort out the riff raff is great!
5. How do URL suffixes effect credibility?
The suffix effects the credibility to some degree, but I don’t feel it always makes or breaks the deal. Sites such as .gov, .edu and .org are fantastic, because you know it’s a website with support and is, for the most part, thoroughly put together. However there are many .com sites and even some .net that are just the same. In my opinion when it comes to a .com or .net, double check for sources, where the info is coming from and if the text itself seems to flow, or is choppy.
Hope this helps some newbies! Welcome to Mahalo and remember to be afraid to ask questions!
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$Always is good to add sources to your response, even if it is a personal opinion or you quote from different pages where you found credible sources. It is good to know that on Mahalo are not tolerated answers like copy and paste from different sources. I'm sure that you have imagination and you can do more than just copy the answer from someone else.
2. How do you find credible sources?
Do not throw to the first source that you find. It is good that before you put your answer on Mahalo, to do a research thorough on different sources.
3. What makes an online source credible?
A credible source is one that can be confirmed in two or three different places that say the same thing, one that has a good history in this regard.
4. What are your favorite go to places for credible information?
You can find credible informations on wikipedia.com , yahoo.com , newspapers, blogs that have a high rate of reliability, media.
5. How do URL suffixes effect credibility?
The URL suffixes don't affect the credibility of that websites, as long as I can check the credibility of information in several places.
Personal opinion
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M$
You welcome!
But keep in mind that there is a BIG difference between Wikipedia and a Wiki.
http://www.wikipedia.org/ - This is Wikipedia
http://www.wowwiki.com/ - This is a Wiki website.
There are 2 different things and I have to admit that your comment is confusing. I thought we are talking about wikipedia not wiki sites.
Wikipedia can’t be considered a credible source and I can show you at least 5 pages with errors. Even if Wikipedia is considered one of the best sources of information; many articles are filled with errors and are out of date.
+1 @garyallen
@mithrandir If we pick a random subject, what you are saying is mathematically impossible. Especially because Wikipedia gathers information from everywhere. So, yes you may find those errors on the websites you mentioned, but on Wikipedia you will find the same errors gathered in one place.
On the other hand people are not searching on Wikipedia for true facts. IMO they are using the website because they are lazy and they want to find everything in one place. Wikipedia is all about quantity…not quality.
How many times do you think they verify the sources? Let’s be honest… Do you think that every editor calls at CNN or New York Times, to check the facts? I doubt that.
IMO is better to find 2 errors on CNN and 2 in New York Times, than 4 on Wikipedia, because the credibility drops instantly.
Wikipedia should not be your only source, but I am very confident that Wikipedia is a better (and more up-to-date) source than any 20+part encyclopedia our parents used to have on their bookshelf.
Wikipedia is not perfect, but is darn good! I trust Wikipedia as I trust Google: With an open mind to its possible flaws and mis-directions.
For every error you find on Wikipedia, I'm sure I can find five errors on quality news-sites like CNN, New York Times, etc.
I know of no better source than Wikipedia!
I agree that you should see if a few different sources all have the same info--it doesn't cost you anything to clip and paste the URLs, but I will say this of Wikipedia: It is edited by anyone and everyone. I think it's better that if you find the info you need in the Wikipedia entry, that you go to ITS source for confirmation and something likely more credible.
Wiki is credible. They are doing a much better job of filtering out the bull. The idea behind wiki is solid, it's just some people think it's fuuny to throw in junk. If we could just keep wiki current without the trash, think how great it could/would be.
@vladis, while agree that Wikipedia is not the best source, I would argue that it is reasonably acceptable when coupled with other reference. At the very least, I like to go there and look at the External Links for a given article when I am running low on resources from Google.
Any forest also has brushwood!
I not contradict you that on Wiki are articles filled with errors or are out of date. Your comment is constructive for me and in the future I'll be more careful when I gather information on the wiki and not only.
Thanks @vladis!
We always need credible sources, it doesn't matter whether the article is mostly factual or if it is only your opinion, if it needs extra explanation, you definitely want to add credible sources.
2. How do you find credible sources?
Credible sources can be found everywhere, but the strongest sources for Mahalo are online sources. This offers instant gratification, this person can go to the source and get additional information "RIGHT NOW".
3. What makes an online source credible?
An answer is credible if it answers the question at hand and comes from a credible source. Usually .org or .gov are definitely preferable because you know the government has to give the right answer or the public will complain and the organization has put their name on the line with their information. Not to mention there are legal ramifications for misinformation on those sites. Websites you trust are also a way to get the best information, if you use them often and their information is accurate, they are the best for you. Try to keep a couple of these in your back pocket in case of a pinch.
4. What are your favorite go to places for credible information?
Believe it or not, Youtube is my favorite, because when you want to know how to do something and you watch someone actually doing it step by step, you learn by seeing it done. There is no better proof than that.
5. How do URL suffixes effect credibility?
Again, you know your questions are being answered completely and accurately at sites where their reputation is on the line and there are legal ramifications for giving misinformation, usually these are at sites marked .gov, .edu and .org.
Being credible allows people to see your information as valuable, they are also more likely to frequent your work more often which eventually make you very valuable indeed, because your work will be constantly coming up on the search engines.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Thanks @bunnyphuphu for making sure I had a funny cat. I did not see that in my making sure that the answer was properly credible.
Wow! Great Answer! Let me put the icing on it with the best LOL Cat that I could find!
Great answer...but..
"Usually .org or .gov are definitely preferable because you know the government has to give the right answer ..." Really? Heh...ok....:)))
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Good point @rama09 but until we see Camus, Kafka, Sartre, Samuel Becketti, Allen Ginsberg, or James Joyce et al. actually answering questions around here we'll just have to cite'em when we need too. :)
Keep in mind @rama09 that not all answers here require a source or reference. I will never site an opinion question or personal preference question.
But if someone asks why the sky is blue, or how something works... I don't want them taking my word for it. Oh, and I almost forgot to add a LOL Cat that I found just for you!
But the references is needed just to assure it.
Link or the source is given when it passed the test in person and declared safe.
Be careful of the source URL and make sure there is no executable extensions behind which is usually covered by a long space.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
A+ answer @tealmyster, awesome job :)
@falcon18 adding an image to a Mahalo Answer is really easy. Click here for a good visual explanation. Let me know if you have any more questions. :)
Click here --> This thread should help too let me know if this helps out with posting images in Mahalo Answers.
It's not the problem finding the sources! I still can't figure out how to put the darn pictures on!! Had instructions from friend in here, but am still struggling trying to do it! (I just must be past it, brain not working like it should)