Question

You've found an Internet article that supports your view of a research subject. The author seems to have excellent credentials, and the article is very well written. However, the author seems to be using outdated information to support her claims, and you can't find other articles that corroborate her information. Which of the following statements best describes what your course of action should be and why?
A. You should not use the article as a reference. Information from the Internet isn't trustworthy.
B. You should not use the article as a reference. The lack of corroboration and outdated information outweigh the author's credentials.
C. You should use the article as a reference. The important thing is that you've found a source that will bolster your arguement.
D. You should use the article as a reference. The author is obviously an expert in her field and the information doesn't need to be "nitpicked."

Answer 1

B is certainly the moral answer. When a source is shown to be untrustworthy, citing it only amplifies the problem. It is similar to how fake news stories have become a problem on social media. Often people share them without taking time to confirm they are true.