What action might a rater take if they find old statistics on a webpage?

When a rater discovers old statistics on a webpage, disregarding the content as irrelevant is a logical action because outdated information can significantly affect the relevance and accuracy of the content. In many contexts, such as news, health, technology, or science, recent data is crucial for informing users correctly. If statistics are no longer current, they may mislead readers or provide an inaccurate picture of the situation being discussed. Therefore, recognizing that old statistics can detract from a webpage’s reliability allows the rater to evaluate the overall quality of the information provided.

Trusting the webpage simply based on old statistics or the author's perceived expertise would not be appropriate, as these factors do not compensate for the lack of current information. Similarly, assuming the page is frequently updated does not align with the reality of finding outdated data, and considering it trustworthy without verification would misrepresent the webpage's credibility. Thus, the decision to disregard the content hinges on the relevance of up-to-date information in determining the quality of online resources.