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ENGL 1A: Science, Ethics, and Society (Nanda): Evaluating Information

Evaluating Information Sources

Where do you get your information?
How do you know the information you found is reliable?
How do you know an article is not "fake news"?
Do you trust everything you find on the web?
Do you know how to fact check information?

Exercise 2

Woolly Mammoths "to Walk the Earth Again in Two Years" after Massive Breakthrough (Daily Star)

Frozen body of a woolly mammoth found in Siberia

Browse through this article, paying close attention to the features of a credible source listed in the middle box on this page. Then answer the questions on "Exercise 2: Evaluating a Source's Credibility," which you will find in Module 6 in the Camino site for this course.

Ingredients of a Credible Source

What are the most important features of a credible source?

  • Reputation of the publication / source
     
  • Credentials of the author
     
  • Author is unbiased
     
  • Information is current
     
  • Information presented can be verified
     
  • Lines between facts and opinion are clear
     
  • Evidence presented supports the conclusion

 

How to Choose News Sources- TedED

Useful Definitions

Fake News:  Completely fabricated information; old news repackaged to look new; images altered to misrepresent reality; or stories that spin bits of real news into distorted or shocking claims. Fake news is intentionally deceitful, often in order to lure traffic, make quick money for the publisher, trick readers/viewers (a hoax), or deceive people for political agenda. Satire may be fake, but it’s not as mean.

Media Bias:  Information that is unfair, unbalanced, or incomplete in its discussion of an issue. Biased media often lacks context and diversity, and relies on stereotypes, loaded imagery, easy explanations, or highly partisan influence. Bias can occur on purpose or because the creator simply didn’t seek out balanced sources, ask deep questions, do good research, or provide enough context.

Editorial Perspective:  Every reporter, editor or publisher has a point of view. When the point of view is transparent to the reader/viewer, it can help us understand where the creator is coming from, and to evaluate (on our own) whether we agree and what perspectives might be missing. When the perspective is hidden or reporters deny their bias, then news quality suffers. This is why it’s important to think critically about everything we read, watch, and listen to.

- Oakland Public Library

Fact Checking Guide for Internet Sources

SCU Fact Checking Guide

Fake news or not?  How can you tell the difference when you use  internet sources?