Perceptions of Internet Information Credibility

Bibliographic Data

ID23345952
AuthorsAndrew J Flanagin (0000-0002-0928-5861, Department of Communication, University of California, Santa Barbara), Miriam J Metzger (0000-0001-8433-8604, Department of Communication, University of California, Santa Barbara)
Year2000
Volume77
Issue3
Pages515-540
Publication date2000-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournalism & Mass Communication Quarterly (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1077-6990 • E-ISSN: 2161-430X
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/107769900007700304
OpenAlexW2137194788
LanguageEN
Citations received233
References cited9

People increasingly rely on Internet and web-based information despite evidence that it is potentially inaccurate and biased. Therefore, this study sought to assess people's perceptions of the credibility of various categories of Internet information compared to similar information provided by other media. The 1,041 respondents also were asked about whether they verified Internet information. Overall, respondents reported they considered Internet information to be as credible as that obtained from television, radio, and magazines, but not as credible as newspaper information. Credibility among the types of information sought, such as news and entertainment, varied across media channels. Respondents said they rarely verified web-based information, although this too varied by the type of information sought. Levels of experience and how respondents perceived the credibility of information were related to whether they verified information. This study explores the social relevance of the findings and discusses them in terms of theoretical knowledge of advanced communication technologies.

Advertising · Business · Credibility · Entertainment · Information retrieval · Information seeking · Internet privacy · Newspaper · Perception · Political science · Relevance (law) · Social media · The Internet · World Wide Web · Computer Science · Misinformation and Its Impacts · Opinion Dynamics and Social Influence · Psychology · Social Media and Politics