What should a rater consider when evaluating the credibility of statistics on a webpage?

When evaluating the credibility of statistics on a webpage, considering the age of the statistics is essential because outdated data can significantly affect the relevance and reliability of the information presented. Statistics that are several years old may no longer accurately represent current trends or facts, which can lead to misleading conclusions. As research methodologies and societal contexts evolve, what might have been true at a certain point in time may not hold anymore, making it critical for raters to assess when the data was collected or last updated.

For example, statistics regarding technology usage that are five years old may not reflect the rapid changes in that field, whereas newer data can offer insights that are more aligned with present conditions. Thus, acknowledging the age of the statistics helps ensure that only relevant and reliable information influences evaluations and decisions based on such data.