Which statement about evaluating online sources is NOT a recommended practice?

• A. Check author authority and publication date.
• B. Look for cited evidence.
• C. Verify that the site has a professional domain.
• D. Rely on the site's visual appeal and layout alone to judge credibility.

Answer: (D)

Evaluating online sources hinges on credibility cues in the content itself rather than on appearance. The best practice is to check who wrote the piece and what qualifications they have, because expert authors are more likely to provide accurate information. Checking the publication date is important to ensure the information is current, since knowledge can change over time. Looking for cited evidence shows that the author backs up claims with verifiable sources. Considering the site's domain or hosting can give a quick sense of trustworthiness, with educational or government domains often signaling more reliability. Relying on how polished the site looks or its layout alone is not advisable, because a visually appealing site can still present inaccuracies or biased information. In short, credibility comes from the substance and sourcing, not from appearance.