Assess: Does the author know what they're talking about?
You may hear people talk about a person’s “expertise” or “credibility” to talk or write about a certain topic. What they are asking is whether or not that person has enough knowledge, skills, or experience with that topic to be trusted as a good source of accurate information. For example, if I need my car’s engine to be fixed because it dies everytime I stop at a stoplight, I would not trust someone who has never worked on a car before.
Instead, I want a mechanic who has been working on cars for many years. Even better would be a mechanic who has worked on many different cars and fixed lots of different problems that cars like mine can have. My ideal mechanic has taken a lot of classes to learn about fixing cars, worked with other mechanics who know a lot about fixing cars, is able to fix their own car, and who is recommended by others because he has fixed their cars, too. That mechanic would likely be considered an “expert” at fixing cars. They are someone we would consider “credible,” or whom we can trust to help us figure out why my car dies at every stoplight and how to fix it so it runs like new again.
Believe it or not, there are plenty of people in the world who will claim to be experts when, in fact, they are not. They may believe they are experts when they aren’t, or they may be trying to convince you they know what they’re talking about because they want you to trust them. Sometimes, they want your trust because they want you to do, say, or buy something that in some way benefits them. Don’t be fooled. Here’s how you can figure out if the author or website you’re paying attention to are worth your time.