The problem is that anyone can post anything on the Internet. Websites like Wikipedia are not reliable because basically anyone can edit them. The Internet is a great resource but it’s also a public forum, where anyone can make a claim or assertion. I believe that there is fabricated data on the Internet and it’s hard to differentiate between that and accurate information. When looking at an article that provides relevant information for your research, you should take the time to investigate the source to make sure it is valid and reliable. The Internet is an important source that connects people and provides information. People believe that the Internet is riddled with exaggerated information. It is your responsibility as a researcher to determine if the source is trustworthy.
The Internet can be a reliable resource if you investigate your source correctly. For example, stay away from Internet information that doesn’t list an author but if an author is named verify credibility and if the writer is published in a scholarly journal or employed by a research institution or university. Also, determine if the information is linked to an organization. Try to validate the reliability of the sponsoring organization. This means that there is an URL ending. Basically it is the responsibility of the researcher to be cautious and chose their sources carefully.
Jaron Lanier’s article he questions the Internet as a reliable source. He believes that the Internet brings nothing but trouble and that there are problems with voice, reliability, and confusion. But, I disagree because there will always be flaws in searching for information. For an example, the News media reports what will bring up their ratings rather than what is really going on because that’s boring. They will over exaggerate events to bring hype and grab audience’s attention. So, not every source of media is reliable but its up to us to make the distinction between what is the truth and what is junk.
To some extent you can rely on the most trusted news sources, but you should not rely on them exclusively because their goal is entertainment. Same with the Internet, you have to determine what is useful and what is false by doing your own research. In conclusion, the Internet is a reliable source if the researcher is cautious regarding the information they encounter.
It is true that not all internet content can be reliable. However, the problem is, that society is just to lazy to open a book for it's sources. We rely too much on all internet content because of that laziness. If this continues, then society will crumble.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that the internet is reliable but like anything it is not perfect and has flaws but I still trust in it. It might be becasue i don't want to liik up journals or something but either way the internet has many editors and many of these editors are trusted professionals.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless (: