Myth 1: If it's on the web, it must be true
Beware of the "gullibility virus". Anyone can pretend to be a reliable source. Just because you read something on the web doesn't mean it's true.
If you're not quite sure who to trust, look for information from well-known, established sources such as news media and reputable publishers of research .
Remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Myth 2: If it's not on the web, it doesn't exist
Avoid the trap of thinking you can find everything on the web. There are massive amounts of useful offline data. For example, libraries and government organisations can provide you with information.
Myth 3: Scientific studies are reliable
When using published scientific research, find out who sponsored or funded the program. Research results often skew toward the desired outcomes of the benefactors.
Myth 4: Paying for information guarantees its usefulness
Sometimes, free information on the web is useful and reliable. Sometimes, information you pay for can be useless.
Always validate the source and find out what other people say about it. This can be time consuming. To add to the challenge, free information often comes from sources that lack credible evidence of their authority.
Paying for quality, relevant information that you can obtain quickly from a reputable and recognised source might be a more cost-effective use of your time.
