relative credibility

USAGE SUMMARY

"relative credibility" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the relative trustworthiness of a person, source, or statement. For example, "The relative credibility of the witness's testimony was called into question during the trial."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The Enlightenment thus initiated the modern interest in the life of Jesus, with its detailed attention to the problem of the relative credibility of the Gospel records.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Attorney General John Ashcroft also said that the F.B.I. warning about the possible attack on bridges on the West Coast was based on a threat that authorities believed had "relative credibility".

The New York Times

"It is natural and irresistible for a jury, in evaluating the relative credibility of a defendant who testifies last, to have in mind and weigh in the balance the fact that he heard the testimony of all those who preceded him," he wrote.

The New York Times

In the short time that FriendFeed realtime conversations have been enabled, the relative credibility of aggregated identity has fostered much greater signal to noise.

TechCrunch

Yet, the current mantra for 'collaboration' has gained relative credibility and legitimacy without scrutiny of the democratic characteristics and quality of these institutional arrangements.

Geoforum

Alison Wylie has developed the Consilience Model of Confirmation through analysis of many cases showing how archaeologists in fact judge the relative credibility of evidential and explanatory claims.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The object, presumably, was to start out in a world of relative psychological credibility and then reveal things to be spinning out of control.

The Guardian

This inevitably undermines their credibility relative to their research communities.

The Guardian

This is the grain of truth behind 'Lying requires the intention to deceive.' Bald-faced lies show that assertions do not need to meet a requirement of wide plausibility, that is, credibility relative to one's total evidence" (Sorensen 2007, 255).

SEP

Modern jewelry was only one component, however, of this showcase, which was launched in 1997 and has rapidly become one of the most prominent in the U.S. The 60 exhibitors in the 2003 tent constituted a veritable who's who of the international antique dealer establishment, giving this relative newcomer instant credibility.

Forbes

Several aspects of our intervention should increase its efficiency and credibility, relative to other interventions, making it uniquely suited for widespread dissemination.

BMC Geriatrics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When evaluating sources, consider the "relative credibility" of each to determine which provides the most reliable information. Look for factors like author expertise, publication reputation, and evidence-based arguments.

Common error

Avoid basing your conclusions solely on a source with high "relative credibility" without cross-referencing with other reliable sources. Even credible sources can have biases or limitations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relative credibility" functions as a noun phrase, where "relative" modifies "credibility". It indicates the comparative degree of believability or trustworthiness. Ludwig shows this phrase used across various contexts, highlighting its adaptability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "relative credibility" is used to assess and compare the trustworthiness or believability of different entities. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a grammatically correct and usable phrase. It is most commonly found in news media, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the specific criteria for evaluating credibility in the given situation. Remember to avoid overreliance on any single source, even one with high "relative credibility", and to cross-reference information whenever possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comparative trustworthiness

Replaces "credibility" with "trustworthiness" focusing on the reliability aspect and "relative" with comparative.

degree of believability

Emphasizes the extent to which something can be believed, shifting from credibility to believability.

level of reliability

Focuses on the reliability aspect of credibility and quantifies it with "level of".

comparative plausibility

Substitutes "credibility" with "plausibility", highlighting the apparent validity or likelihood of something.

varying degrees of trustworthiness

Highlights different levels of trustworthiness.

differential credibility

Uses "differential" to emphasize the difference in credibility among various sources or pieces of information.

assessment of trustworthiness

Replaces relative with general "assessment" and replace credibility with trustworthiness.

evaluation of believability

Replaces relative with general "evaluation" and replace credibility with believability.

ranking of reliability

Focuses on creating an ordered list based on how reliable something is.

gradation of credibility

Highlights the gradations or subtle differences in credibility.

FAQs

How can I determine the "relative credibility" of two sources?

Consider factors such as the author's expertise, the publication's reputation, evidence of bias, and whether the information is corroborated by other reliable sources. A source that is peer-reviewed or comes from an established institution often has higher "relative credibility".

What does "relative credibility" mean in the context of journalism?

In journalism, "relative credibility" refers to assessing which news outlets or reporters are more trustworthy based on their history of accuracy, impartiality, and adherence to journalistic ethics. Established news organizations with a track record of fact-checking generally have higher "relative credibility" than newer or less reputable sources.

What factors influence the "relative credibility" of a witness in court?

Factors such as the witness's consistency, corroboration of their testimony, potential biases, and past record for honesty can all influence their "relative credibility" in a legal setting. The jury assesses these elements to determine how much weight to give to the testimony.

How does "relative credibility" play a role in scientific research?

In scientific research, the "relative credibility" of a study depends on factors like the rigor of the methodology, sample size, peer review process, and reproducibility of results. Studies published in reputable journals with strong methodologies generally have higher "relative credibility".