author credentials
Some general questions that you should ask yourself when considering the credentials of an author are:
- Can the author be identified?
- Is the author qualified to write about the topic?
- Is the author an expert in the field?
- What else has the author written?
Journal articles and texts have clearly defined authors, making it easy for you to investigate and determine the credibility of an author. Oftentimes a book cover can provide you with some biographical information on the author of the work, allowing you to get a good sense of the author's suitability and qualifications for writing about what they are writing. Even if a biography isn't offered, a quick internet search can often yield you some important information that can aid in your evaluation of the author's credibility. You may be able to retrieve information that details their personal experience, leadership or educational credentials (i.e. PhD), or even academic postings and institutional affiliations. These kinds of qualifiers often show that an author has some sort of reputation or is generally recognized in the field for which they are representing. A list of other authored publications may also offer some insight that demonstrates an author's familiarity with the field in which they are writing.
