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Evaluation Checklists

The CRAAP Test

image of the craap test

The SIFT Method

sift_infographic.png

Online Verification Skills with Mike Caulfield

Online Verification Skills with Mike Caulfield

Online Verification Skills with Mike Caulfield
Online Verification Skills — Video 1: Introductory Video

Online Verification Skills — Video 1: Introductory Video

03:14
Play Video
Online Verification Skills — Video 2: Investigate the Source

Online Verification Skills — Video 2: Investigate the Source

02:45
Play Video
Online Verification Skills — Video 3: Find the Original Source

Online Verification Skills — Video 3: Find the Original Source

01:34
Play Video
Online Verification Skills — Video 4: Look for Trusted Work

Online Verification Skills — Video 4: Look for Trusted Work

04:10
Play Video

Bias

Is an organization mentioned in relation to the article? Think tanks, associations, and other organizations usually exist for a reason. Learn more about the organization to identify potential biases by:
 

  • Going to the organization's website and looking for information about their mission

  • Searching for news articles about the organizations that indicate their political leaning.
     

Are all biases bad? NO. But being aware of them helps contextualize the information presented.

Fact Checking

Are the numbers accurate? Was someone quoted correctly? There are a few things you can do:
 

  • Look for the source of facts yourself. A good author will give you some indication of where they found the information. For example, if an article references a recent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report, go to the CBO's site to locate the report.
     

  • LexisNexis Academic has a section under News for TV & Radio Transcripts. You may be able to find the transcript of an interview, or the text of a public statement here.
     

  • Politifact focuses on political statements. Researchers at the Tampa Bay Time fact check speeches, ads, and more. Politifact references their sources, making it relatively easy for readers to retrace their steps. 
     

  • FactCheck.org also focuses on political statements, this project from the Annenberg Public Policy center fact checks speeches, ads, and more. FactCheck.org references their sources, making it relatively easy for readers to retrace their steps.

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