Identify a criterion for determining credibility in academic writing.

Identify a criterion for determining credibility in academic writing.

• A. Length of the article.
• B. Authority, currency, and objectivity.
• C. Publisher's location.
• D. Number of pages.

Answer: (B)

Focusing on credibility in academic writing means looking at what makes a source trustworthy, not at surface details like how long it is. The best criterion combines authority, currency, and objectivity. Authority means the author has relevant expertise and is affiliated with a reputable institution or publication, which signals that the work is informed by knowledgeable scholarship. Currency matters because in many fields new findings, data, and standards can change quickly, so up-to-date sources are more reliable for current understanding. Objectivity involves presenting information fairly, backing claims with evidence, clearly citing sources, and avoiding undisclosed biases. When these elements line up, the source is more likely to be credible. Features like the length of the article, the publisher's location, or the number of pages don’t reliably indicate credibility, since a long or short piece can be well or poorly sourced, and location or length doesn’t speak to the quality of the scholarship.

Focusing on credibility in academic writing means looking at what makes a source trustworthy, not at surface details like how long it is. The best criterion combines authority, currency, and objectivity. Authority means the author has relevant expertise and is affiliated with a reputable institution or publication, which signals that the work is informed by knowledgeable scholarship. Currency matters because in many fields new findings, data, and standards can change quickly, so up-to-date sources are more reliable for current understanding. Objectivity involves presenting information fairly, backing claims with evidence, clearly citing sources, and avoiding undisclosed biases. When these elements line up, the source is more likely to be credible. Features like the length of the article, the publisher's location, or the number of pages don’t reliably indicate credibility, since a long or short piece can be well or poorly sourced, and location or length doesn’t speak to the quality of the scholarship.