Title: Evaluate sources of consumer information.
Course: Independent Living (22904-18) > Section: Making Responsible Consumer Choices

Evaluation may include

- government or community agencies (e.g., Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Protection Agency)
- consumer-oriented publications (e.g., newspaper articles, Consumer Reports)
- advice from others (e.g., family, friends, experts, sales staff, online reviews)
- point-of-purchase sources (e.g., labels, packages, displays)
- media (e.g., television programs, podcasts, email, websites, social media)
- advertising (e.g., print, television, radio, Internet, social media).

Evaluation should also include answering the following questions for each source identified:

- Why do you find the author or source of information reputable? Believable? If you do not, why not?
- What are the credentials of the author or source of information?
- Where and when was the information published?
- What does the source have to gain by promoting the information?
- How is the information presented? Is it presented in a logical way and supported by valid research?
- How many valid sources support the same information?

Process/Skill Questions:

Thinking

- How can you spot a scam on the Internet?

Communication

- What sources of information do you use to help you decide what to purchase?

Leadership

- Why are some evaluation tools better than others for determining the credibility of an online source?

Management

- What steps should one take to ensure a source is reliable?