If you are not using the FAU databases, you need to consider some questions when evaluating information from the Internet:
- How current is the information?
- How reliable is the information?
- How authoritative is the source of information?
- How accurate is the information?
- How relevant is the information to my topic?
How to be information literate:
- Be curious: Independently verify the source (by performing a separate search) and independently verify the information (through mainstream news sources and fact-checking sites).
- Be reflective: If you have an immediate emotional reaction to a news article or source: pause, reflect, investigate. Exciting an emotional reaction is a primary goal of fake news producers. Do not be part of a viral fake news spiral!
- Actively investigate your news sources: Select news sources known for high-quality, investigative reporting. Search these sources directly. Don't settle for web search results or social media news feeds. Social media algorithms are designed to present the news that reinforces your current views, not a balanced view.
- Look for in-depth coverage: Look for lengthy articles--long-form reporting--that better capture the complexity of topics and events. One or two paragraphs is not sufficient. Take a look at this article from Slate as an example of a longer, in-depth article.
