Other Guides to Evaluating Sources
Here is a list of several strategies for evaluating information sources critically.
- Evaluating Web Sources (video)Created by Tom Morrison, final year Media Arts student in collaboration with Plymouth University Library
- SMELL TestJohn McManus, 2013
- RADCAB - Your Vehicle for Information EvaluationKaren M. Christensson, Edina, MN, 2005-
- Evaluating Information – Applying the CRAAP TestSarah Blakeslee and others, California State University, Chico, 2004-2010
- How to Evaluate ResourcesA rundown from Gettysburg College on how to get a quick overview on whether or not a source is useful.
Evaluating Websites
Click on the image above to go to the Research Ready website evaluation tool.
Fact Checking Political Resources
- FactCheck.orgMonitors 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. The goal is to apply the best practices of both journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding.
- PolitiFactPolitiFact is an independent fact-checking journalism website aimed at bringing you the truth in politics. PolitiFact's reporters and editors fact-check statements from the White House, Congress, candidates, advocacy groups and more, rating claims for accuracy on our Truth-O-Meter. Every fact-check includes analysis of the claim, an explanation of our reasoning and a list of links to all our sources. PolitiFact tracks President Barack Obama's campaign promises on our Obameter.
- OpenSecrets.orgIn short, the Center's mission is to:
- Inform citizens about how money in politics affects their lives
-Empower voters and activists by providing unbiased information
-Advocate for a transparent and responsive government
Fact Checking Religion, Email Scams & Hoaxes
- Snopes.comNot strictly limited to politics, Snopes is a website that attempts to debunk and validate urban legends, Internet rumors and other stories of uncertain origin. It is an independent entity owned by its operators, Barbara and David Mikkelson, who say they receive no funding in any form.
- TruthorFiction.comTruthOrFiction.com is a non-partisan website where Internet users can quickly and easily get information about eRumors, warnings, offers, requests for help, myths, hoaxes, virus warnings, and humorous or inspirational stories that are circulated by email.
- HoaxSlayer.comHoax-Slayer debunks email and social media hoaxes, thwarts Internet scammers, combats spam, and educates web users about email, social media, and Internet security issues.