The effect of document source trustworthiness on the evaluation and strategic use of embedded sources when reading health information online

Abstract

Abstract: The organization of sources into layers may have an impact on the way readers evaluate conflicting documents online. Two experiments (n = 131) examined whether undergraduates use metadata from the document to evaluate the contents and embedded sources included in that document. Participants read two texts about treatments for a rare disease put forward by two neutral characters (the embedded sources). Each text was manipulated so that it was published by a trustworthy or untrustworthy document source. In Experiment 1, participants performed the task using their own criteria. In Experiment 2, they received a pre-training on how to evaluate sources. Participants used more information (cited more sources and preferred the treatment) and rated the embedded source as more trustworthy when associated to a trustworthy document, but only in Experiment 2. In conclusion, readers can strategically use multiple source layers, suggesting a networked source representation, but contingent to task specifications.