Authority Is Constructed and Contextual

Information resources reflect their creators’ expertise and credibility, and are evaluated based on the information need and the context in which the information will be used. Authority is constructed in that Various communities may recognize different types of authority, so authority is a construct. The information need helps determine the level authority required, which means authority is contextual (ACRL Information Literacy Guidelines).

• Authority is a type of influence that exists within a community and is viewed by experts with informed skepticism.
• Authority should be approached with broad mindedness – open to new perspectives and voices.
• When considering authority for information, one must evaluate its validity and acknowledge the biases that contribute to privilege of some sources over others, such as other worldviews, gender, and cultural orientations.
• Basic indicators of authority for novice learners include types of publication or an author’s credentials, from recognized schools of thought or discipline-specific models.