What are regarded as best practices for online research?

Best practices for online research emphasize the importance of evaluating sources, verifying information, and properly citing sources. This approach ensures that the information gathered is accurate, credible, and reliable.

Evaluating sources involves critically assessing where the information is coming from, checking for the author's credentials, the publication date, and the reputation of the source. This helps researchers discern between trustworthy and untrustworthy materials. Verifying information entails cross-referencing facts with multiple reputable sources to confirm accuracy, which is vital in a digital environment where misinformation can spread easily. Properly citing sources is essential in giving credit to original authors and allowing others to follow up on the research, fostering integrity and transparency in academic and professional work.

The other options do not align with best practices in research. Relying solely on Wikipedia for information can lead to issues since it is a user-edited platform that may not always provide reliable or accurate content. Exclusively focusing on video content might limit the breadth of information collected, as it may not cover all aspects of a topic comprehensively. Lastly, using social media as a primary information source can introduce biases and unreliable content, as social media platforms often lack rigorous fact-checking processes.