How to Fact-Check Like a Pro
Sick and tired of seeing misinformation? Never know who or what to trust? Can't figure out if what you've heard is true? Feel Duped? Want better tools to sort truth from fiction? Here's a quick guide to 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 s/he currently work in that field? Check LinkedIn or do a quick Google search to see if the author can speak about he 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 contact them.
Look for bias: Does the article 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 the source: 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 of a large group of people. 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 yourself if the article is accurate or not.
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, do a little investigating.
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.
Who : Who is the author or creator? Are they an expert or science journalist?
What : What does post or article say? Does the information seem reasonable? Is the information consistent with other sources?
Where : Where did this information come from? Are there sources or links?
When : When was this posted or updated?
Why : Why was this posted or shared? Is this post to educate or inform? Is the post selling a product?
Adapted from Kathy Schrock's The 5 W's of Web Site Evaluation