Great summary of the important factors in publishing. I think the problems occur when shortcuts are taken with reasoning rather than examining the evidence for themselves. For example, it's published and it fits my beliefs, therefore it must be true. It's peer-reviewed, it must be true. It's open-access and paid to be published, it must be questionable. It's in a quality journal, it must be legit.

I think there is no avoiding taking some of these shortcuts because of limitation of time or expertise to examine further evidence, which is where some appeals to authority can save time, so long as checks are in place.

Publication in a quality, high impact journal can be seen as a stamp of quality. The journal has staked its reputation of the quality of what is published.