This week you've considered scholarly journals and peer-reviewed articles, which are usually reporting on original, often scientifically-tested, research. We could say that theauthorityof these...

This week you've considered scholarly journals and peer-reviewed articles, which are usually reporting on original, often scientifically-tested, research. We could say that theauthorityof these sources is based in rigorous research methodology, and the review by expert peers.

In the past few weeks we've considered other kinds of authoritative information: that which comes from the personal experience of someone (a person as source), and that which comes from collective effort of many people contributing and editing each others' content (Wikipedia).

Compare these three sources of authority (remember, that word is related to "author!"). Does one seem more important or compelling to you? Which one gets closest to irrefutable truth? Which one is most helpful or appropriate for your college-level research, and why?