ENG151 - Navigating Information: Source Evaluation

S - Stop

The first step encourages you to take a moment to think before you automatically trust a source and accept it as accurate. Avoid sharing or using the information for your research until you have gathered more details.

• Pause before sharing or using information
• Take a moment to consider if you know the source and its reputation

Consider the following questions:

• Why was this information created?
• What do you know about the author, website, or organization?
• What do others say about them?

I - Investigate the Source

This step involves digging deeper into the source of information and its claims. Think of yourself as a detective looking for clues about the source's credibility and the accuracy of its content. Instead of relying on the original information, use "lateral reading" to explore what other reputable sources say about it.

Key Questions to Ask:

1. Who created this information?
2. What's their background?
3. What's the purpose of this website or organization?
4. What do other reliable sources say about this source?
5. Can other sources verify the claims?
6. Is there any bias in the article?

Checking for Bias

• Use media bias tools to assess potential partisan bias:
  • Media Bias Chart
• Identify other types of bias:
  • Types of Media Bias
• Consider the language used in the article. Is it neutral or emotionally charged?
• Look for a balanced presentation of different viewpoints.

Quick Tips:

• Don't just rely on the website's domain (.com, .org, etc.) to judge credibility.
• Look for author bios or "About Us" pages.
• Use fact-checking websites like Snopes, FactCheck.org, or PolitiFact to verify claims.
• Search for the article title on Google plus "fact check" to see if others have evaluated it.
• Be aware that even reputable sources can have biases.

Remember, investigating doesn't mean you must become an expert on every source. The goal is to get a quick sense of whether the source is trustworthy and whether other reliable sources support its claims.

F - Find Better Coverage

This step is about looking for more reliable or detailed information on your topic.

What to Think About:

• How much information do you need?
• What type of information are you looking for? (Remember the different information formats we discussed earlier)

Why Find Better Coverage?

Other sources might:

• Give you more details
• Be more trustworthy
• Show different viewpoints
• Have more up-to-date information

Easy Ways to Find Better Coverage:

1. Use Google Tricks
   • Search specific websites by typing: [your topic] site:.gov
   • This works for .edu, .org, and other domains too
2. Check Google News
   • See what news sources are saying about your topic
3. Try Google's Advanced Search
   • This can help you avoid getting trapped in your usual search results
4. Use the MCC Library
   • Search the library's catalog
   • Look through the library's list of databases
   • Find a Research Guide
   • You can find scholarly articles, eBooks, and primary sources

Remember:

Don't just stick with the first source you find. Looking at different sources helps you get a fuller picture of your topic and ensures you're using reliable information.

T - Trace Back to the Original Source

This step is about finding where information originally came from. It's like following a trail of breadcrumbs back to the start.

Why Trace Back?

• To make sure the information is accurate
• To see if anything was taken out of context
• To check if the original source is reliable

How to Trace Back:

1. For Written Information
   • Look for citations or links in the article
   • Check if these sources are credible
   • See if the original information was represented correctly
2. For Images, Videos, and Media
   • These can often be altered or used out of context
   • Do a reverse image search:
     • Right-click on the image
     • Select "Search Image with Google Lens"
   • This shows you where else the image has been used

Fact check: Image of 2017 Los Angeles holiday traffic misrepresented as New Orleans evacuations