Think critically about who has put this information out in the universe. We are looking the author, publisher, or entity that has either created the information or made it possible for you to view the information.
How do you know if someone has authority or credibility? Think about what makes someone an expert on a particular subject. Look for credentials, keeping in mind which credentials you would consider most valuable in judging expertise on this topic.
Discuss the difference between direct and indirect authority.
Think about the example of a journalist writing for the New York Times. The journalist may not have specific authority on the topic of the article, but may include named sources.
What would the journalist's direct authority be?
Would you need to look into the authority of the named sources?