Website Evaluation Tutorial
- Website Evaluation TutorialIf you're starting a research assignment and want to do a quick review on how to evaluate websites. Check out our online website evaluation tutorial.
Links to Lists & Help Guides
- #LibrariesResist Resource List Fake NewsCurated list of resources for Fake News, Propaganda, Fact Checking, Media Literacy
- American Library Association -- Fake News: A Library Resource Round-UpA collection of links from the ALA Public Programs Office
- Indiana University East - Fake News: ResourcesLibGuide for identifying fake news and checking/verifying news claims.
- International Fact-Checking Network - Poynter Institute for Media StudiesThe Poynter Institute is a global leader in journalism. The page contains stories about trends and best practices in fact-checking worldwide. Also, updates from the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN).
- NPR - All Tech Considered - Fake News or Real?NPR Tech, Culture and Communication. Useful list of pointers for recognizing fake news websites.
- Pierce College - FAKE NEWS vs. REAL NEWS: How to Determine the Reliability of SourcesHelpful tips for recognizing fake news websites.
Website Domain Types
.com – Commercial websites
- Generally created by a business or corporation and is for profit.
- Provides information on products or is motivated by sales.
.edu – Educational websites
- Created by a college, university or grade school.
- Information is provided for academic purposes.
- Highly regulated and can only be owned by an educational organization.
.gov – Government websites
- Created by local, state, and national goverments.
- Information is provided for the public.
- Highly regulated and can only be owned by a government organization.
.org – Organization website
- Used by both non-profit organizations, for profit corporations and individuals.
- Organization websites can be owned by a corporation and be sales motivated, owned by an individual or owned by a non-profit organization that provides information supporting a specific cause or viewpoint.
- Carefully evaluate non-profit organizations as they can have a particular viewpoint on an issue, so the information they provide can be biased or slanted in order to support their viewpoint.
Fact Check your sources using SIFT -- Click through the tabs to begin the tutorial
Introducing SIFT
SIFT is an easy-to-use four-step method of fact-checking information you find anywhere. Digital literacy expert Mike Caulfield has created a few short videos to explain how to best use SIFT.
Step 1: Stop!
Before you use a source. ask yourself:
Who's responsible for the information?
Who created and disseminated it? And do you recognize the source?
If so, do you trust it? If the answer is no or you're unsure, consider some of the following:
Step 2: Investigate the Source
What do others have to say about the organization and the creators? (Hint: Try scanning the Wikipedia article on the source, if there is one) Look for surprises, particularly those that deviate from your initial impression! Take a look at the video (2:45) that covers how to fact-check efficiently and effectively by "reading vertically"
Step 3: Find Better Coverage
If you're unsure about a source especially if it is making a claim that you want to use or share, investigate if other sources that you trust more are also making the claim. The following video (4:10) covers strategies for finding better coverage of a claim:
Step 4: Trace Claims, Quotes and media to the Original Context
Context is critical when it comes to information claims. And information changes as it gets passed along and shared, sometimes unintentionally, sometimes deliberately. So, consider tracing the claim back to its original source and context. Take a look at the following video (1:33) that covers tips for "going upstream" and finding the original context:
Sites that can help you confirm a news story...aside from Google.
- AP Fact CheckFact-checked current news stories from the Associate Press (AP), one of the oldest news organizations in the United States.
- FactCheck.orgA Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center. Monitors the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, speeches, interviews, and press releases.
- OpenSecrets.orgNonpartisan, independent and nonprofit, the Center for Responsive Politics is the nation's premier research group tracking money in U.S. politics and its effect on elections and public policy.
- Politifact.comPolitiFact is a fact-checking website that rates the accuracy of claims by elected officials and others who speak up in American politics. PolitiFact is run by editors and reporters from the Tampa Bay Times, an independent newspaper in Florida.
- PundifactPart of Politifact, features statements by politicians and other experts in the press.
- SciCheck.orgA Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center. Focuses exclusively on false and misleading scientific claims that are made by partisans to influence public policy.
- Snopes.comAward-winning fact-checking site. The snopes.com website was founded by David Mikkelson in 1995, and has grown into what is widely regarded by folklorists, journalists, and laypersons alike as one of the World Wide Web's essential resources.
Tips for Spotting Fake News Sites
Tips for Checking Websites and News Sources:
Website Domains
- Avoid websites that end in “lo"
- Watch out for websites that end in “.com.co"
- Watch out for other odd domain names. Odd domain names generally equal odd and rarely truthful news.
General Tips
- Use of ALL CAPS in headline or story.
- Lack of quotes by professionals or citing of sources.
- Watch out if known/reputable news sites are not reporting on the story
Check the “About Us” tab on websites or look up the website on Snopes for more information about the source.
It’s always best to read multiple sources of information to get a variety of viewpoints and media frames.
2016 by Melissa Zimdars. (Made available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.)
Google Advanced Search
Quick Tip: If you are searching Google for a website with a specific domain, such as a .gov or .edu, when you type in your search add "site:" and the domain type at the end of your search term. For example, if you wanted to find government websites on gun control, type in "gun control site:.gov". Or if you wanted to specifically search for non-profit websites that had information on wildlife, type in "wildlife site:.org".
- Google Advanced SearchUse to specify website domain when searching, such as .gov sites for government information.