Collins Memorial Library: PSYC 101: Introductory Psychology: Evaluating Sources

How to Spot Fake News

Fact Checking Sites

FactCheck.Org
From the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania, the mission of the site is to be a “consumer advocate” for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. We monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases. Our goal is to apply the best practices of both journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding."
Politifact.com
PolitiFact is a nonpartisan fact-checking website to sort out the truth in American politics. Originally created by the Tampa Bay Times in 2007. In 2018, PolitiFact was acquired by the Poynter Institute, a nonprofit school for journalists. "Fact-checking journalism is the heart of PolitiFact. Our core principles are independence, transparency, fairness, thorough reporting and clear writing. The reason we publish is to give citizens the information they need to govern themselves in a democracy."
Snopes.com
When misinformation obscures the truth and readers don’t know what to trust, Snopes.com’s fact checking and original, investigative reporting lights the way to evidence-based and contextualized analysis. We always document our sources so readers are empowered to do independent research and make up their own minds.

Why Do Our Brains Love Fake News?

The CAARP Test

The CAARP Test

The CAARP Test is a list of questions to help you evaluate the information you find. Different criteria will be more or less important depending on your situation or need. Many of these questions can be applied to books, journal articles, news stories and/or web sites.

Currency: the timeliness of the information

When was the information published or posted?
Has the information been revised or updated?
Is the information current, or out-of date, for your topic or academic discipline?
Are all of the links functional?

Authority: the source of the information

Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
Are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given?
What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?
What are the author's qualifications to write on the topic?
Is there contact information, such as a publisher or e-mail address?
Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?
examples: .com (commercial); .edu (educational); .gov (U.S. government); .org (nonprofit organization); or .net (network)

Accuracy: the reliability, truthfulness or plausibility of the information

Where does the information come from?
Is the information supported by evidence?
Is there a bibliography of consulted sources and/or notes?
Has the information been reviewed or refereed?

Relevance: the importance of the information for your needs

Does the information relate to your topic?
Who is the intended audience?
Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?
Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?

Purpose: the reason the information exists

What is the purpose of the information? to inform? teach? sell? entertain? persuade?
Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
Is the information fact? argument? opinion? propaganda?
Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?

Adapted from CSU Chico