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Fact Checking

Resources to support assessing the factual accuracy of claims.

Evaluating information resources (the CRAAP Test)

McMaster Libraries. (2015, January 23). How Library Stuff Works: How to Evaluate Resources (the CRAAP Test) [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/_M1-aMCJHFg

The S.I.F.T Method (for evaluating information sources)

Evaluate web and social media sources in 4 moves

STOP
Before reading, sharing or using the information, stop and think about it.

INVESTIGATE
Check where the information is from.

FIND
Can you find better or other coverage on the same topic?

TRACE
Trace claims, quotes and media back to the original context.

Learn more about how to apply the SIFT Method.

How do you spot fake news

How to spot fake news Consider the source Click away from the story to investigate the site, its mission and its contact info. Read beyond Headlines can be outrageous in an effort to get clicks. What's the whole story? Check the author Do a quick search on the author. Are they credible? Are they real? Supporting sources? Click on those links. Determine if the info given actually supports the story. Check the date Reposting old news stories doesn't mean they're relevant to current events. Is it a joke? If it is too outlandish, it might be satire. Research the site and author to be sure. Check your biases Consider if your own beliefs could affect your judgement. Ask the experts Ask a librarian, or consult a fact-checking site. By IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions)

 

How to Spot Fake News

  • Consider the Source - Click away from the story to investigate the site, its mission and its contact info.
  • Read Beyond - Headlines can be outrageous in an effort to get clicks. What's the whole story?
  • Check the Author - Do a quick search on the author. Are they credible? Are they real?
  • Supporting Sources? - Click on those links. Determine if the info given actually supports the story. 
  • Check the Date - Reposting old news stories doesn't mean they're relevant to current events.
  • Is it a Joke? - If it is too outlandish, it might be satire. Research the site and author to be sure. 
  • Check your Biases - Consider if your own beliefs could affect your judgment. 
  • Ask the Experts - Ask a librarian or consult a fact-checking site. 

International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). (2020, July 10). How to spot fake news [Infographic]. IFLA. https://www.ifla.org/publications/node/11174

Web Literacy for Student Fact-Checkers [e-book]

Scholarly information