Kredibilitet

Kredibilitet refers to the quality of being trusted and believed; in public discourse and research it denotes the perceived reliability and truthfulness of a source, claim, or actor. It influences whether information is accepted, acted upon, or dismissed.

Core dimensions typically cited are expertise (the speaker's knowledge and skills), trustworthiness (honesty and integrity), and reliability (consistency over time). Believability also depends on the clarity of the message, the strength of supporting evidence, and transparency about methods.

Factors shaping kredibilitet include credentials and reputation, the quality and relevance of the information, openness to correction, and perceived lack of conflicts of interest. Context, audience expectations, and cognitive biases can raise or lower credibility judgments.

Measurement blends subjective evaluation and objective indicators. Objective signals include peer review status, publication venue, replication of results, data availability, and independent corroboration. Online environments add engagement metrics and moderation history, but these signals can be manipulated or gamed.

Kredibilitet is essential for effective communication. It affects persuasiveness, trust, and decision making in fields such as science, journalism, and public policy. Weak credibility can enable misinformation, while strong credibility supports accountability, informed consent, and reliable knowledge building.

Etymology traces to Latin credibilis, meaning believable. In Danish and Norwegian, kredibilitet is used to discuss the trustworthiness of sources and claims across media, academia, and institutions.