4: Fact-checking - ENGL 102 - Library Skills Objectives - Maple Woods - LibGuides at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City

Objective

Students will fact check online information using lateral reading.

Spotting Misinformation libguide
Visit this guide to see the examples and links featured in the videos.

FactCheck.org
A nonpartisan, nonprofit consumer advocate for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. Monitors 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.
Snopes
The oldest and largest fact-checking site online, widely regarded by journalists, folklorists, and readers as an invaluable research companion.
PolitiFact
Not Real News
Associated Press roundup of misinformation stories.

Go as far back as you can to find the original source of the information. 

Is the source describing the results of a study? Find the original study. 
Does the article refer to an earlier article? Read that one. 
Does the site link to a source for their information? Click the links.  Did the first source you found misinterpret or misrepresent anything?

What do fact-checkers like the ones listed elsewhere on this guide have to say?

Is anyone else talking about this? 
Have there been any corrections or new developments since your source was posted? 
Are there more sides to the story or details that were left out?