Tired of seeing misinformation? Want better tools to sort truth from fiction? Here's a short list of tips for sorting out facts, weighing information and being knowledgeable online and off
- Check credentials. Is the author specialized in the field that the article is concerned with? Does she or he currently work in that field? Check LinkedIn or do a quick Google search to see if the author can speak about the subject with authority and accuracy.
- Read the “About Us” section. Does the resource have one? It may be on a tab at the top of the page, or a link at the bottom of the page, but all reputable websites will have some type of About Us section and will provide a way for you to conatct them.
- Look for bias. Does the source seem to lean toward a particular point of view? Does it link to sites, files, or images that seem to skew left or right? Biased articles may not be giving you the whole story.
- Check the dates. Like eggs and milk, information can have an expiration date. In many cases, use the most up-to-date information you can find.
- Check out sources. When an article cites sources, it's good to check them out. Sometimes, official-sounding associations are really biased think tanks or represent only a fringe view. If you can't find sources, read as much about the topic as you can to get a feel for what's already out there and decide for your self if the article is accurate or not.
- Use the CRAAP Test: Check for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose
- Interrogate URLs. We see quite a bit of domain manipulation these days. For instance, what looks like an .edu domain, followed by .co or “lo” is likely a fake or deceptive site. If you are you seeing a slightly variant version of a well-known URL, be weary and investigate.
- Try find out who owns the website posting the information. You can sometimes find out at either whois.domaintools.com or at whois.icann.org. Both of these websites allow you to perform a WHOIS search. Whenever someone registers a website address, they must enter their contact information. In many cases, this information becomes public (though webmasters may choose to keep this information private).
- Suspect the sensational. When you see something posted that looks sensational, it is even more important to be skeptical. Exaggerated and provocative headlines with excessive use of capital letters or emotional language are serious red flags.
- Judge hard. If what you're reading seems too good to be true, or too weird, or too reactionary, it probably is.
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