Today in #DetectingDeception: Why my profile says I'm not a useful doctor and why YOU should be careful who you consider to be an expert. #Thread

2/ When someone claims information is trustworthy because of the credentials of the person who says it, that's appealing to authority. It can be handy - after all, we issue credentials as a shorthand for particular knowledge or skills.

3/ But accepting a claim of authority can get you in trouble in 3 ways.

Sometimes cited authority is referenced, but not named.

Sometimes authority is biased or otherwise suspect.

Sometimes the group or person cited is an authority, but not in the domain.

4/ A chewing gum claimed that 4 of 5 dentists surveyed agreed that would be useful for oral hygiene. Sounds good, right? But they don't say which ones. Although dentists know oral health, if those dentists were gum shareholders, I might want to look twice.

5/ That might be the first two issues. But the transference of authority where it doesn't apply is also a real issue. Here's an example. I have a higher degree from a good university. Good for me. I don't understand cricket very well at all.

6/ If you are looking for an interview on your news show and you want someone with letters after her name, you might put me on in your cricket segment. I can sit there and use big words and talk about stuff and sound pretty good. It would be a mistake, though.

7/ Just so, you should think about the source of information on public health that you are getting right now. I've seen poor health advice circulating with attribution to "a nurse I know" and PhDs in history interpreting epidemiology for the public.

8/ Consider the source - Is it clear who it is? Even if they are pedigreed, is it in the area of concern? Even if they are, might they have bias you should consider? That will help you with #DetectingDeception.