Perhaps never before in mainstream discussion has the importance of evaluating sources been more important. The effect of \u201cfake news\" and contested information is now a common feature of contemporary life. Evaluating sources is an essential part of critical thinking, which is the foundation for good communication and report writing in any field.<\/p>\r\n
As our world becomes more and more connected by technology, our ability to evaluate and use information has become more difficult, but not impossible.\u00a0It is essential to understand how these technologies work and how people use them.<\/p>\r\n
Websites, broadly speaking, are perhaps the most difficult sources to evaluate; however, the following tips can act as basic guidelines:<\/p>\r\n
While we've boiled the evaluation of websites down to a few key tips, it is actually a complex topic that could fill books. For more information, check out\u00a0Mike Caulfield's\u00a0Web Literacy for Student Fact-Checkers<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n This book is (as stated in its introduction) \"an unabashedly practical guide for the student fact-checker. It supplements generic information literacy with the specific web-based techniques that can get you closer to the truth on the web more quickly.\"[footnote]Caulfield, Mike. \"Why This Book?\" Web Literacy for Student Fact-Checkers<\/em>. Web. 30 June 2018. https:\/\/webliteracy.pressbooks.com\/chapter\/chapter-1[\/footnote]<\/p>\r\n<\/section>\r\n A word on bias: some consider bias to be a problem. However, we might argue here that bias is a normal part of life and human interaction. We are all biased by our upbringing, our experiences, and our perspectives. While any attempt to be objective in your analysis is a good thing, it can be just as useful to acknowledge your biases in your research and arm the reader or consumer of your material accordingly. In a way, this is a form of respect for your readership. You acknowledge their critical thinking role in consuming your material and also acknowledge that eliminating all bias\u2014no matter how professional or scientific one\u2019s research approach might be\u2014is impossible.<\/p>\r\n Bracketing<\/strong> is a way to acknowledge bias. \u00a0It is the act of reviewing and gaining awareness around your preconceived beliefs about a given topic before pursuing further study.[footnote]Bracketing (phenomenology). Wikipedia<\/em>. Web. 1 Sep 2025. https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bracketing_(phenomenology)[\/footnote] Another way to think about bracketing is to refrain from judgment.[footnote]Weatherford, Jennifer, and Debalina Maitra. \u201cHow Online Students Approach Bracketing: A Survey Research Study.\u201d Educational Research: Theory and Practice 30, no. 2 (2019): 91\u2013102. https:\/\/files.eric.ed.gov\/fulltext\/EJ1248413.pdf[\/footnote] This awareness should help your evaluation of sources and keep you mentally engaged in the review of your own reaction to your data.<\/p>\r\n The following video from Practical Psychology illustrates various biases. Note how these biases could affect your thinking, and consider ways you might apply this awareness to evaluating sources.<\/p>\r\n https:\/\/youtu.be\/wEwGBIr_RIw<\/p>\r\n You can view the\u00a0transcript for \"12 Cognitive Biases Explained - How to Think Better and More Logically Removing Bias\" here (opens in new window).<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/section>\r\n Perhaps never before in mainstream discussion has the importance of evaluating sources been more important. The effect of \u201cfake news” and contested information is now a common feature of contemporary life. Evaluating sources is an essential part of critical thinking, which is the foundation for good communication and report writing in any field.<\/p>\n As our world becomes more and more connected by technology, our ability to evaluate and use information has become more difficult, but not impossible.\u00a0It is essential to understand how these technologies work and how people use them.<\/p>\n Websites, broadly speaking, are perhaps the most difficult sources to evaluate; however, the following tips can act as basic guidelines:<\/p>\n While we’ve boiled the evaluation of websites down to a few key tips, it is actually a complex topic that could fill books. For more information, check out\u00a0Mike Caulfield’s\u00a0Web Literacy for Student Fact-Checkers<\/a>.<\/p>\n This book is (as stated in its introduction) “an unabashedly practical guide for the student fact-checker. It supplements generic information literacy with the specific web-based techniques that can get you closer to the truth on the web more quickly.”[1]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n A word on bias: some consider bias to be a problem. However, we might argue here that bias is a normal part of life and human interaction. We are all biased by our upbringing, our experiences, and our perspectives. While any attempt to be objective in your analysis is a good thing, it can be just as useful to acknowledge your biases in your research and arm the reader or consumer of your material accordingly. In a way, this is a form of respect for your readership. You acknowledge their critical thinking role in consuming your material and also acknowledge that eliminating all bias\u2014no matter how professional or scientific one\u2019s research approach might be\u2014is impossible.<\/p>\n Bracketing<\/strong> is a way to acknowledge bias. \u00a0It is the act of reviewing and gaining awareness around your preconceived beliefs about a given topic before pursuing further study.[2]<\/sup><\/a> Another way to think about bracketing is to refrain from judgment.[3]<\/sup><\/a> This awareness should help your evaluation of sources and keep you mentally engaged in the review of your own reaction to your data.<\/p>\n The following video from Practical Psychology illustrates various biases. Note how these biases could affect your thinking, and consider ways you might apply this awareness to evaluating sources.<\/p>\nUnderstanding Bias in Your Sources<\/h2>\r\n
Evaluating Sources<\/h2>\n
Evaluating Websites<\/h2>\n
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Understanding Bias in Your Sources<\/h2>\n