SI: Mis/Disinformation --Thinking Critically About Information Sources

In this guide, we will discuss how to discern and think critically about information sources you encounter online.The website on the right is CSI Library's Misinformation and Disinformation Research Guide. There is a lot of information here, so feel free to look around.

First: this guide should appear in a small window next to a live online search. If you cannot see both, simply move the guide window over to the side.

OK, let's get started!

What is Fake News?

A simple definition would be information presented as factual news from a legitimate news source, but in reality the articles are invented and present stories that simply did not happen. However, the definition can get more nuanced. 

 

Let's talk about ways to identify fake news from real news.

Click the tab for checklists.

Now, watch the video by FactCheck.org for more tips. Here is a link to the video if you're having trouble finding it.

 

Now, test your skills by looking at a list of possibly fake news stories collected by Snopes.com

Click the tab for snopes.com

Then click the link to the web site.

According to their own about page: "The Snopes.com web site was founded by David Mikkelson, a project begun in 1994 as an expression of his interest in researching urban legends that has since grown into the oldest and largest fact-checking site on the Internet, one widely regarded by journalists, folklorists, and laypersons alike as one of the world’s essential resources."

Click on any "news" story that interests you and notice what's there. Note that they include a "claim," a rating, and an origin story which breaks down reasons for why the story is accurate or not.

Now, at the top of the screen, do a search for "Red Lights" and find the article with the title Do Red Lights Outside Homes Indicate Anti-Gun Solidarity?

 

In the video you watched earlier, they mention that social media is making it easier for fake news to proliferate than ever before. Let's talk about social media for a second.

Social Media definition: Oxford Dictionaries define social media as "Websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking."

Even though many of us get our news through our Facebook and Twitter feeds, it's important to recognize that these are NOT publishers. They are simply applications that allow users to share content originally published by other publications.

Since we've been talking about checking the source, let's talk about how to evaluate a website (or a source).

Click this link to head back to the CSI Research Guide and view the Evaluating Websites page.

The C.R.A.A.P. test is a way to evaluate any type of information, including Web Sites.

The C.R.A.A.P. test was created by Sarah Blakeslee, of the University of California at Chico's Meriam Library.

Currency (when?):

• What is the date of publication?
• Does the source use recent information?
• Are the references and/or links current?
• Does currency matter for this topic? Why or why not

Relevancy (how?) :

• How does this web site relate to your research?
• What aspect of your research question(s) does this source answer?
• Is the intended audience appropriate for academic research?
• How does this source provide a new perspective or piece of information?

Authority (who?) :

• What credentials does the author have?
• Does the author have any relevant affiliations with a respected university or organization?
• What can you find about the author online?
• Has the author published on this subject before?

Accuracy (what?) :

• Does the source contain any false information or errors?
• Does the source use reputable sources to support the claims made?
• Is the information on the web site verifiable and supported by evidence?
• Does the information seem complete, or are facts missing?

Purpose (why?) :

• Is this information fact or opinion?
• Why did the author create this web site?
• What is the purpose of this web site?
• Is this web site advertising a product or service? Is it educational or informative?

A creditable web site/source should be able to :

1. tell you who they are (check the "about page"),

2. list the authors (and some include bios)

3. have a mission statement, list of staff, or board of directors.

4. include citations or links to where they got their information?

5. list the date the information was last updated.

Certificate

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