E-credibility: Building common ground in web environments

The Internet has done much to facilitate research and information gathering in terms of speed and ease of use. It has, however, introduced a new problem for students, educators and others: how best to assess the credibility of Web-based information (e-credibility). This article reviews the literature on credibility from such fields as communication and media studies; explores technological, social, and psychological factors that contribute to e-credibility difficulties; and uses vignettes to ground these discussions. It also examines some common responses to e-credibility difficulties and discusses the limitations of each. It concludes by discussing how linguist Herb Clark's notion of "common ground" [Using language (pp. 92-121), Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press 1996] can provide a basis for further examination of e-credibility.