Introduction to the module

In this module, we focus on the creators of information and, specifically, their knowledge, expertise, and credentials (e.g., education) that empowers them to be authorities on a given subject.

Authority is not a given. Instead, it is “constructed” or created within a community, based on key ideas and beliefs. Different communities will recognize not only different forms of authority, but also the different forms of information considered to be authoritative.

This is why authority is also “contextual”––it depends on the circumstances, environment, setting in which it is created as well as the information needs to be met. As a result, sources must be evaluated in terms of the authority of the authors as well as the context in which they are created and the audience for which they are intended.

For example, peer reviewed journal articles are considered to be authoritative academic sources because the authors have the credentials (i.e., academic degrees) required for this type of work, they produce their data according to academically approved methods (e.g., by experiments or archival research), and their work is reviewed and approved by their peers before being published.

However, we need to ensure that we also consider factors such as privilege and positionality when evaluating sources. An author’s authority, and therefore the authoritative nature of certain forms of information, can reflect embedded biases that privilege some authors (and communities) over others and call into question the nature and validity of various sources.