Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Credibility On The Internet: Shifting From Authority To Reliability, R. David Lankes

Faculty Publications

Purpose – This paper seeks to understand how users determine credibility in the internet environment from a conceptual level and the implications of these new methods of credibility determination on internet tools (primarily software) and services.

Design/methodology/approach – The author first examines the underlying reasons for increased dependence on the internet for information, using electronic commerce as a starting point. The central concept of “information self-sufficiency” is introduced and then examined through the lens of the internet and conversation theory.

Findings – The author finds that users are shifting from more traditional “authority” methods of credibility determination, where users cede …