Delving deeper into evaluation: exploring cognitive authority on the Internet

The importance of ascribing cognitive authority to Internet information is discussed, basic evaluative criteria for ascribing authority is provided, and technical tools for investigating authorship and conducting more advanced research are described.

Abstract

This paper discusses the importance of ascribing cognitive authority to Internet information, provides basic evaluative criteria for ascribing authority, and describes technical tools for investigating authorship and conducting more advanced research. The proffered tools offer ways to investigate authorship and identity and can significantly contribute to the confidence with which a researcher can ascribe authority. Analyses of the output from technical tools directly reveal how these tools may be used to draw conclusions regarding authorship and identity. An overview of public‐key infrastructure (PKI) is provided as a possible solution to the problem of determining identity in a networked environment.