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4: Fact-Checking

  • Page ID
    90185
    • Walter D. Butler; Aloha Sargent; and Kelsey Smith
    • Pasadena City College, Cabrillo College, and West Hills Community College

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    • 4.1: Why Fact-Checking?
      This page discusses strategies for verifying the reliability of information sources, aligning with professional fact-checking methods. It underscores fact-checking's role in combating misinformation and improving information hygiene. A video is suggested that examines the effectiveness of various groups, including Stanford students and historians, in identifying reliable sources. Overall, it aims to enhance readers' information evaluation skills.
    • 4.2: The SIFT Method
      This page discusses Mike Caulfield's "SIFT" method for fact-checking, which includes four strategies: 1) Stop to evaluate the reliability of the content; 2) Investigate the source's credibility across multiple platforms; 3) Find more trustworthy sources for the information; 4) Trace claims to their original context to prevent misinformation from out-of-context reporting.
    • 4.3: Using Wikipedia Effectively
      This page discusses Wikipedia as a valuable yet often misunderstood resource due to its open-editing model, which can raise concerns about accuracy and bias. While studies indicate its accuracy aligns with traditional encyclopedias, users should be wary of misinformation, incomplete articles, and systemic biases, especially regarding gender representation. Recognizing its strengths and limitations can enhance effective use for research purposes.
    • 4.4: Fact-Checking Images and Memes
      This page explains how to verify the authenticity of images and memes to combat misinformation. It highlights the importance of trusted coverage, using text searches or reverse image searches. Instructions for conducting a reverse image search on Google for both computers and mobile devices are included.
    • 4.5: Conclusion
      This page highlights the significance of reconstructing context to verify and interpret information sources in research. It discusses key elements to examine, such as the author's expertise, the consensus on claims, and the original context of evidence. These techniques can uncover falsehoods and restore lost context, promoting a more meaningful engagement with information.


    This page titled 4: Fact-Checking is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Walter D. Butler; Aloha Sargent; and Kelsey Smith via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.